Coronavirus in Carro, La Spezia, Italy

By codybrandy

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Mar 17, 2020 Update

We Asked: What is currently happening with regard to the Coronavirus outbreak in your area? Please provide as much detail as possible. She replied...

We are in semi-self-quarantine mode as our area of Liguria is not badly hit...yet. Everything is closed except for grocery, gas stations, pharmacy and all that are open are allowing only 1-5 people inside at a time depending on the size of the store. We go out only for rations, some work related and necessities. We are checked by police and must have a form in the car saying why we are out and who we are and where we live. We are strongly encouraged to not go out of our own communities. Exits on the autostrada are being checked as to who is using the highways. There is free pharmacy and grocery delivery from our town stores. The mayor checks in via Facebook almost daily. We are in the country and can take walks as long as we are healthy. All stores and outside areas are posted with signs to stay at least 1 meter away from anyone we meet. The grocery is very well stocked...a little low on wine and beer and veggies but other than that little change. We are requested to buy not more than 5 of any one item.

How People are Coping

We Asked: How are people handling the situation in your area? She replied...

Very well in our area. I went grocery shopping yesterday and I'd say 90% of people and all the shop assistants had on masks...some medical grade, some not and some just a handkerchief over the face. Many had surgical type gloves on. We spend a lot of time on the computer or reading...I've been cooking and baking bread.

Changing Conditions as coronavirus Spreads

We Asked: How has the situation changed as the Coronavirus has spread? She replied...

We have very few cases in the Liguria area due to the early self-quarantine or lock-down.

Government Response

We Asked: Describe how the government of the country about which you are reporting is handling this situation. She replied...

Excellent media coverage and early lock-down.

Government Response with Regard to Expats

We Asked: Describe how your home country's government has handled the outbreak situation with regards to its expatriate citizens. She replied...

I'd say very poorly...people are out partying in the streets and the run on groceries is atrocious... Massachusetts is beginning a stronger take on the situation but has not stressed the seriousness of the problem as strongly as Italy.

Supplies and Shortages

We Asked: Is there a shortage of supplies in your location? She replied...

Not at all.

Preparing for the Future

We Asked: What are you doing in terms of preparations in case the situation deteriorates in your location? She replied...

Our frig is stocked and we have plenty of non-perishables...but we have not hoarded. I'd say we have at least 2-3wks of food.

Lockdown & Passing the Time

We Asked: Are you staying home? If so, how are you passing the time? She replied...

We only go out when absolutely necessary. We went to get gas (car was really low) and to just see the grocery situation. We can walk in our country side area and rarely see anyone. We read (Kindle) we read the Boston Globe and the Guardian and the computer. I've been baking and freezing casseroles and bread, we talk with neighbors on the phone and have a few hobbies to keep us entertained. We do not have tv which is a big miss at this time.

Public Healthcare & Public Hospitals

We Asked: Are you enrolled in the public healthcare system where you live? Do you feel that the public hospitals are handling or preparing for the Coronavirus outbreak effectively? She replied...

Yes, Italian Health care....and how they are handling I do not know. China just sent Italy a huge supply of medical needs. They seem to really have a handle on what needs to be done and from what I've read in the Guardian there numbers of infection are decreasing quickly.

Private Health Insurance & Private Hospitals

We Asked: Do you have private health insurance? If you have private insurance, does this give you access to private hospitals? Are private hospitals or clinics better prepared, less prepared, or the same? Please explain. She replied...

No

Hospital of Choice for Coronavirus Treatment

We Asked: Would you choose a public or private hospital if you needed treatment for Coronavirus? Why? If there is a specific hospital that you would go to in the event of severe illness? Which hospital and why? She replied...

Chiavari and Rapallo both have amazing hospitals...facilities are impressive (Rapallo is brand new) and the staff are as well.

Returning Home

We Asked: Are you considering returning to your home country due to the Coronavirus? Would this be a temporary move or a permanent repatriation? Please explain. She replied...

No...the US is far behind the Italian system and I'm afraid it will last much longer there.