So here's the scoop.

I made it back from the UK.  No controls on the way there but they checked our temps on landing here.  Schools are closed.  This is week 3.  At this point they'll be going through July.  I'm soooo glad I quit!  I'm still tutoring one on one at students homes.  Gyms, cinemas, events are all cancelled.  Anywhere crowds would gather in close proximity.   Soccer matches are going on but without spectators.  The big dilemma is whether the station that owns the rights to the televised games will show them on regular TV.  THAT'S WHAT'S IMPORTANT. 

Kids home from school means the folks upstairs are home 24/7.  Vacuuming.  Arguing.  The poor kid who has no life under normal circumstances, now can't even escape to go to school.  He spends all day studying.  He actually dared to lie on his bed working and his mother screamed, "Sit up!  During the day you have to sit up to study.  You can studying lying down in the evening."  Someday he's gonna snap and we'll see these people on the front page of the paper.

There is no panic.  No panic buying. No mobbing the hospitals.  Many of those in quarantine are just thrilled to be at home from work.  We are not yet within the quarantined area though it's a short drive from here.  Actually went yesterday to just outside the "red zone" to pick up plants at a great garden center.  Wanted to make sure I had them before they were on lock down!  Yes it's Spring here.  Snicker, snicker.  My exercise classes are cancelled so doing yoga at home which is just not as effective.  I keep getting distracted.  In the down dog position it's way too easy to note all the dust under the furniture.

It is a serious situation.  I'm not taking it lightly.  But of the huge numbers of people who have tested positive for the virus,  (Italy has tested almost 9000 people whereas the States fewer than 1,600), many are asymptomatic.  Others have flu like symptoms but will be fine.  A very small percentage are hospitalized and fewer yet die.  It's like a very bad flu year where no one was vaccinated.  The people most at risk are elderly and/or compromised.  (Median age 81, mostly males and with other underlying illnesses). The major problem is that the virus is so damned catchy that the numbers are HUGE.  Huge because Italy has one of the highest aging populations in the world.  There are grey hairs everywhere!  Hospitals simply can't handle the numbers in isolation and ICU and staff are becoming ill which means a shortage of doctors and nurses.

Our worry is of course MIL.  And she is not being very cooperative.  God is that woman stubborn!  Her biggest concern is food.  And she LOVES Lidl, the German super-saver supermarket.  She scans the fliers and circles all of the things she wants on special.  She must go on exactly the day that the specials are being offered.  Normally she would walk there but GP has told her when she needs something he'll go.  She has got this poor guy driving back and forth constantly.  In order to save 5 cents on a package of crackers he's spending 10 euro in gas.  And here's the thing.  If he says, "no, I'll go once a week and get everything", she'll go on her own.   She insists on going to the market and mass and wants us to take her to her favorite BUFFET RESTAURANT.  So last night we coordinated a sting.  We had her over for dinner and bombarded her with terrifying information.  She is a prime candidate at 88 with asthma and heart issues.  If she ends up in the hospital we can't visit her and she'll be ON A RESTRICTED DIET!  I think that did the trick.  We'll see.

Anywho be careful wherever you are.  This thing is everywhere.  I just hope it can be contained before it's time for me to fly home!  I'll keep you updated.  xxoo me