Today is Italy’s birthday. On March 17, 1861, Italy became a unified country. And now, 159 years later,  they are being united again.

The photo above was taken on a week-day at six in the evening. All the shops closed, no motion in the streets, even the sidewalks were alone. This is Rome, a city of over 4 million people. It has been like this for a week now and will continue to be like this for at least two more. The fear is that it could last even longer.

Daily life is no longer spontaneous.

Yesterday the number of dead went up but the number of infected went down. This is good news in that the fewer the infected, the fewer deaths there will be in days to come.

More good news:  Mattia, the first discovered testing positive for Covid-19 in Italy (see HERE for more info) is now out of the hospital.

The supplies arriving from China had this written on the boxes “we are waves from the same ocean” referring to the quote from Seneca, Roman philosopher and statesman, “We are waves of the same sea, leaves of the same tree, flowers of the same garden.” Pity that, not understanding this, there are irresponsible idiots out there who spread their contamination around like butter on a hot piece of bread. So, wherever you are, STAY AT HOME. And if you see some jerk out on the street not following the rules, yell from your window “Serial killer, get the hell home!”   (Scienziati concordi, la stretta dovrà proseguire oltre il 3 aprile)

One of the many problems of the coronavirus pandemic we are having in Italy now, are the lack of hospital beds. So, in record time, yesterday a new hospital, Columbus Covid 2, opened in Rome.   (Coronavirus, Roma: apertura a tempo di record per l’ospedale Columbus Covid 2).

In Bergamo, one of the hardest hit cities, there are so many patients needing intensive care treatment that they are lined up in the hallways, too. If you have a strong stomach, here is a short video. When you watch this reportage, please keep in mind that this kind of situation and much worse will soon be all over the world.

Instead of bailing out banks and the financial market, the Italian government came up with a maxi decree to help Italians in economic difficulty. Effective as of yesterday, € 5 billion will be allocated to the expansion of social safety nets, starting with the reintroduction of the redundancy fund throughout Italy. Also, taxes and mortgage payments have been suspended as well as some utility bills. Indemnity of 600 euros for seasonal workers and for those who have stopped their activities, such as entertainment or tourism workers, but also for the self-employed, freelancers with a tax number and coordinated and continuous collaboration workers (ex. Housekeepers). (Source: Coronavirus: gli aiuti che entreranno in vigore da oggi).  Question for non-Italians: will your country be doing the same for you?

At this time, if you are taking anti-inflammatories, it would be best to stop. Also, no to cortisone-based drugs. Apparently they weaken the immune system thus making you more susceptible to covid-19. In case of a fever, take paracetamol. (Covid-19: fortemente sconsigliato assumere antinfiammatori)

I am not a doctor/medical expert in any way and have never professed to be one. My desire is just to share the information we are receiving here in Italy. Please note that, because I live in Italy, I am, along with my family, directly affected therefore I have no intention of posting fake advice. As the information above came from the French Minister of Health as well as the University Hospital of Lausanne, I felt it worth sharing. However, to be read as well is a BBC article: Coronavirus and ibuprofen: Separating fact from fiction

PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR, HOWEVER, BEFORE FOLLOWING ANY ADVICE ON INTERNET.

In Rome, there is free taxi service now for doctors.

When I first arrived in Italy almost 40 years ago, it was not uncommon to use “pattine”, large pieces of felt to be placed under the shoes of anyone coming into your home. It was meant as a means of keeping the floors clean and to keep germs out of the house. They’re not used much today. However most Italians wear house shoes at home. Many countries have the practice of shoes being taking off by everyone entering inside a home. With so much fear of contagion, it’s something to consider.

This morning I read that a coronavirus vaccine is being tested on a woman in Seattle (Trial of Coronavirus Vaccine Made by Moderna Begins in Seattle). I find this a bit surprising. In Italy they have also come up with a vaccine but they are testing it on mice for at least a month and a half before testing it on humans.

Once it was understood that the coronavirus was going to be a problem, the World Health Organization shipped tests to nearly 60 countries. But, for some reason, the White House rejected these tests. Why? Could it be because Jared Kushner’s brother, Joshua, is the co-founder of Oscar Health, an insurance company that has launched a testing center locator for COVID-19 in the United States with more than 100 centers? Is the Kushner family trying to cash in on a pandemic that could kill millions of Americans?

Great News: Jared Kushner Doesn’t Think the Coronavirus Is a “Health Reality”…

Well Jared, here in Italy, the coronavirus is a “Health Reality”. The photo above is of an Italian doctor. After working 13 hours non-stop in intensive care, his face was marred by signs left by his protective mask.

Who do you prefer?

Jared

or

Jarod?

To keep up with the facts (statistics style), check out WorldOmeter.

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