[C19is20]

Live in n. italy. Went shopping today to large supermarket. On way, few people in cars, many people out walking though, especially with kids. Supermarket nose-wipe section hit fairly hard, but that was it. Stockers were tending to other areas (either no nose wipes left, or not bothered?). Nobody was panicking buying. There was a pa with 'keep a meter away from everybody' announce, which made my kid laugh as we'd been watching you tube video on how far a sneeze can travel. Italians are touchy-feely poeople and this scare might make them take things a bit more seriously healthwise. Friday, i have a hospital appointment for a recent leg injury - will let you know :-) as three weeks ago i was in hospital for 6 days and i got the impression they were 'preparing' for a big outbreak - very few actual doctors around, nurses stepping up, orderlies assisting nurses with basics.

[pas]

Are you concerned about the news out of Bergamo?

[C19is20]

No, not worried. To me it's 50/50 (im about 1.5hr drive from bergamo)chance that can be tilted in my favor by cleanliness, but more luck… but airborne is airbone. I was out again today - people are a bit 'aware'… but i went to 2 different stores - both fine, asked the cashiers how they are... they're fine. I got the impression shoppers are buying what they need. A middle-aged lady coughed without covering her mouth, that was annoying. Today looks like all kids are 100% at home, not even being out with their friends - that might last two days max, but it's no worse than having measles.

[tigroferoce]

I am. My wife is a MD, not in Bergamo, though, but the news are quite worrying :-(

[fredoliveira]

I am sorry about hijacking this, but I don't know what's happening in Bergamo. Particularly hard flare of the virus, or something else? Tried searching for news, didn't get far.

[cataflam]

You can read this report from a doctor there (translated in English on reddit): https://www.reddit.com/r/medicine/comments/ff8hns/testimony_...

(the original links in Italian are at the bottom of the post if you prefer that)

[kryogen1c]

And long comments full of vivid imagery lile this are EXACTLY why people are dissuaded from making social media posts, exemplified by the poster:

"Sorry, but to me, as a doctor, it's not reassuring that the most serious are mainly elderly people with other pathologies."

This could not be less helpful or more harmful. There is no useful information (that i got to, couldnt get all the way through). This is not an letter to the who or CDC trying to affect policy. This is a goddamn reddit post to scare people, vaguely, with the feelings of hospital staff. Im glad this doctor cares about comorbid patients, but this emotional non-rational prose is what drives mass hysteria and panics. We need data and recommendations.

[tejohnso]

What's so unhelpful about an honest, informed opinion from someone who is actually directly involved, working in a hospital?

Seemed quite helpful to me. Much more so than the pure speculation I'm hearing from other sources.

I got the impression the poster wanted to get their truth out, not fear monger.

[javajosh]

Did you read his post? He has recommendations: social distancing, especially for older people. Don't get into crowds. And really: stop complaining that you can't do this or that fun thing, this shit is getting real, and it's coming to a town near you. That last message is really important when lots of people don't seem to take this seriously.

[jpxw]

This doctor is simply trying to warn people of what is to come. Anecdotal evidence is never ideal, but in some situations it’s the best we can have. I don’t see any motive for this doctor to create undue panic or hysteria.