thoughtcatalog--2020-03-16--Loving You Was A Lot Like That One Time I Dislocated My Shoulder

When I was 14 , I dislocated my right shoulder during a playoff basketball game .
My upper arm separated from my shoulder socket , shifting forward a bruised , bulging bone—full anterior dislocation .
The adrenaline coursing through my bloodstream made it difficult to source the hurt of the injury , though .
I knew I was hurting—or supposed to be hurting—but it was as if my nerves couldn ’ t settle down enough to communicate the physical trauma to my brain .
In other words , I was unsure of the pain .
Loving you was a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ licensed psychoanalyst and associate director for the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence , defines gaslighting as : “ the technique to control the moment in the relationship , to stop conflict , to ease some anxiety and feel ‘ in charge ’ again .
It ’ s a way for someone to deflect responsibility and to tear down someone else , all the while keeping the other person hooked , especially if what they are hooked on is the desperate need to please another person—or prove that person wrong.
” You were my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life was intact , functioning normally , like my shoulder before that one game .
Then I experienced you , and admittedly , I fell hard .
You lit up any room you walked in , and I hung onto your every word .
Not to mention , you were stunning .
But you quickly taught me that a person ’ s beauty doesn ’ t always equate to their character .
When we would fight , you would wound your words to make me question my sanity .
Do you remember when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gloating about your relationship status ?
You told me and the rest of your 16,000 followers that you were “ single and not settling , ” even though we were certainly operating as a couple .
Regardless of the murky waters of Millenial dating definitions , I had just driven with you to meet your parents and your younger siblings in Tennessee .
You had just met mine in Dallas , and I was paying half of your rent .
# CoupleGoals , didn ’ t you think ?
Obviously not .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about it , you spewed back in an annoyed tone that I was “ crazy as hell ” to be upset about something as trivial as social media .
Do you remember calling me “ toxic , ” affirming that if “ we were going to be happy ” I needed to grow up ?
I began to question if my feelings were valid , and just like the pain from my bruised shoulder , I couldn ’ t source the pain of my bruised emotions .
Stern cites this as a classic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is wrong , you just don ’ t know what , and then you apologize for not knowing.
” You were working at a club just outside the city limits that night and wouldn ’ t answer the phone .
I called 10 times .
So I drove to you and paid for a table in your section just to apologize .
For what ?
I ’ ll never know .
The subluxation of my shoulder was so severe , I was rushed to the hospital .
In the waiting room , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I stubbornly assured her that I was fine .
Before I could finish the sentence , though , I collapsed .
My body was under such traumatic distress , my vagus nerve overstimulated and I fainted .
Loving you was a lot like that .
Confused on whether or not I was actually hurting , I would endure our relationship up until I just… couldn ’ t .
Everyone around me knew I was in pain , and I would convince them I was fine , because honestly , I thought I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you drunkenly dialed me and asked me to come over ?
You were just getting off of work , hungry , and “ wanted to see me [ and ] go to Waffle House—our spot.
” I drove to your house and someone was already there to pick you up .
You called me from the inside of the car to slur : “ My bad .
I ’ m in the car already and my phone is about to die .
I ’ ll swing by your house when I get back.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that night played out for you .
Were you too inebriated to remember that you called me to get out of my bed to come over ?
Or that you had already told someone else to come ?
My throat and eyes smoldered in bitter fury .
I angrily drove to the nearest Waffle House , thinking that maybe you had gone there with them instead .
I was fit to kill .
You weren ’ t there .
I sat in the parking lot , half-relieved .
I let my eyes water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I ached .
For you .
For us .
For myself .
The vision of you allowing someone else ’ s hands on your skin burned a terrible image in my brain .
That ’ s the moment you became too intense for me , and like my 14-year old body did in that hospital waiting room , my spirit collapsed .
The irony in both instances is that I fell apart waiting for treatment .
In the first instance , waiting for my arm to be stitched back together .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stitch my heart back together .
Only one of those healings ever took place .
The Mayo Clinic calls the shoulder “ the most mobile joint of the body , ” making it extremely “ susceptible to dislocation ” .
As if on cue , I dislocated my shoulder a few more times after the initial incident .
I even had surgery .
But ultimately , I decided to quit sports .
I had played basketball my whole life , but I knew I had to quit or it would lead to my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayo Clinic had an article on love , the heart would also be one of the most mobile joints , making it , too , most susceptible to dislocation .
And although the tearing of my muscles , tendons , and cartilage will never compare to the gripping feeling of you tearing yourself from my life , I can ’ t seem to quit you .
Loving you is like that .

When I was 14, I dislocated my right shoulder during a playoff basketball game. My upper arm separated from my shoulder socket, shifting forward a bruised, bulging bone—full anterior dislocation. The adrenaline coursing through my bloodstream made it difficult to source the hurt of the injury, though. I knew I was hurting—or supposed to be hurting—but it was as if my nerves couldn’t settle down enough to communicate the physical trauma to my brain.
In other words, I was unsure of the pain.
Loving you was a lot like that.
Dr. Robin Stern, licensed psychoanalyst and associate director for the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, defines gaslighting as: “the technique to control the moment in the relationship, to stop conflict, to ease some anxiety and feel ‘in charge’ again. It’s a way for someone to deflect responsibility and to tear down someone else, all the while keeping the other person hooked, especially if what they are hooked on is the desperate need to please another person—or prove that person wrong.”
You were my first example of a gaslighter. My life was intact, functioning normally, like my shoulder before that one game. Then I experienced you, and admittedly, I fell hard. You lit up any room you walked in, and I hung onto your every word. Not to mention, you were stunning. But you quickly taught me that a person’s beauty doesn’t always equate to their character. When we would fight, you would wound your words to make me question my sanity.
Do you remember when you posted on your Instagram Story, gloating about your relationship status? You told me and the rest of your 16,000 followers that you were “single and not settling,” even though we were certainly operating as a couple. Regardless of the murky waters of Millenial dating definitions, I had just driven with you to meet your parents and your younger siblings in Tennessee. You had just met mine in Dallas, and I was paying half of your rent. #CoupleGoals, didn’t you think? Obviously not. I was crushed. When I questioned you about it, you spewed back in an annoyed tone that I was “crazy as hell” to be upset about something as trivial as social media. Do you remember calling me “toxic,” affirming that if “we were going to be happy” I needed to grow up?
I began to question if my feelings were valid, and just like the pain from my bruised shoulder, I couldn’t source the pain of my bruised emotions. Stern cites this as a classic symptom of gaslighting—“you know something is wrong, you just don’t know what, and then you apologize for not knowing.”
You were working at a club just outside the city limits that night and wouldn’t answer the phone. I called 10 times. So I drove to you and paid for a table in your section just to apologize. For what? I’ll never know.
The subluxation of my shoulder was so severe, I was rushed to the hospital. In the waiting room, the nurse asked me if I felt faint. I stubbornly assured her that I was fine. Before I could finish the sentence, though, I collapsed. My body was under such traumatic distress, my vagus nerve overstimulated and I fainted.
Loving you was a lot like that.
Confused on whether or not I was actually hurting, I would endure our relationship up until I just… couldn’t. Everyone around me knew I was in pain, and I would convince them I was fine, because honestly, I thought I was.
Do you remember the night you drunkenly dialed me and asked me to come over? You were just getting off of work, hungry, and “wanted to see me [and] go to Waffle House—our spot.” I drove to your house and someone was already there to pick you up. You called me from the inside of the car to slur: “My bad. I’m in the car already and my phone is about to die. I’ll swing by your house when I get back.” I’ll never know how that night played out for you. Were you too inebriated to remember that you called me to get out of my bed to come over? Or that you had already told someone else to come? My throat and eyes smoldered in bitter fury. I angrily drove to the nearest Waffle House, thinking that maybe you had gone there with them instead. I was fit to kill. You weren’t there. I sat in the parking lot, half-relieved. I let my eyes water but caught myself before any tears fell. I ached. For you. For us. For myself. The vision of you allowing someone else’s hands on your skin burned a terrible image in my brain. That’s the moment you became too intense for me, and like my 14-year old body did in that hospital waiting room, my spirit collapsed.
The irony in both instances is that I fell apart waiting for treatment. In the first instance, waiting for my arm to be stitched back together. In the second, waiting for you to stitch my heart back together.
Only one of those healings ever took place.
The Mayo Clinic calls the shoulder “the most mobile joint of the body,” making it extremely “susceptible to dislocation”. As if on cue, I dislocated my shoulder a few more times after the initial incident. I even had surgery. But ultimately, I decided to quit sports. I had played basketball my whole life, but I knew I had to quit or it would lead to my physical demise.
I imagine if the Mayo Clinic had an article on love, the heart would also be one of the most mobile joints, making it, too, most susceptible to dislocation.
And although the tearing of my muscles, tendons, and cartilage will never compare to the gripping feeling of you tearing yourself from my life, I can’t seem to quit you.
Loving you is like that.


thoughtcatalog--2020-03-16--Ranking The Zodiac Signs Based On Who Would Make The Best & Worst Apocalypse Wife

A Virgo would be the best apocalypse wife because you will literally never have to want for anything .
She has thought everything through .
You need artisanal hand sanitizer from France ?
She bought that 6 months ago , just in case .
You need a glass of the best vintage wine your state has to offer ?
She has a case in the basement .
You need someone to debate with , or talk to , about all of the things on your mind ?
She ’ s listening .
You feeling a little frisky ?
She ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world intimacy .
And when push comes to shove ?
She is as calm , cool and organized as you ’ d expect .
All around , she ’ s the catch you need during trying times .
Admittedly , a Taurus may not be the most organized when it comes to having a plan in place for the end of the world , but their extreme need for comfort in their everyday lives makes them a great apocalypse wife because every day of isolation will feel like a perfectly padded daydream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough to have an escape plan that doesn ’ t consist of shrugging their shoulders and napping through the crisis ?
Absolutely not .
Will she burn you a $ 76 dollar candle , make you the most delicious meal of your life , dive into magical conversation with you about the Universe and aliens and so on , and make you laugh all while knowing exactly what show to binge watch on Netflix ?
Yes .
Plus , it has been said that the only happy people in the world are those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There ’ s that too .
The Libra apocalypse wife is simply third on this list because they favor beauty and kindness as if their lives depended on it .
If you ’ re looking to isolate yourself with someone who will not only give you a lot of attention , but do it in the kind of environment that is perfectly luxe , comforting and stylish ?
It ’ s her .
Libras are fiercely easygoing , so this will the most chill wife to have in your corner while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such a fun loving , and interesting human being .
You can be sure that the conversation while quarantined will be the absolute best .
Because she is constantly seeking new things to get distracted by , you will both continue to find new and exciting ways to stay engaged and entertained .
Because Geminis would die without attention , you can also be sure that they will love having you around .
Just don ’ t ignore her , and you will be the happiest little isolated couple until the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing to make you happy .
As a quarantine wife , she will go the extra mile to make sure that your needs are met .
However , she is also extremely sensitive and can get moody from time to time .
Despite her ability to get into her feelings , a Pisces is loyal and nurturing .
Whatever you ’ re going through , she will be there to listen , and to make you feel better .
Being isolated with a Pisces will feel like a watery dream , even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times .
A Scorpio woman is extremely demanding , so if you ’ re looking for the kind of apocalypse wife who just takes care of everything and lets you live out your days in comfort ?
Scroll to the top of the list .
If you are , however , looking for the kind of person who is deeply passionate and , to be blunt , a huge freak that will not take their hands off of you ?
You ’ ve found your match .
This kind of woman is strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in her mind , so isolation won ’ t change her .
Aquarians are extremely well adapted to making even the weirdest situations feel normal , and you can be sure that your aquarian apocalypse wife will do just that .
The great thing about having a Leo as an apocalypse wife is that they are fun as hell .
Seriously , there will never be a dull moment with the kind of person who literally craves attention like it is their life source .
You will be constantly entertained .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s her way or the highway , so if you disagree with her , or say anything to upset her , or if you don ’ t like one of the twelve Instagrams she ’ s posted in the last hour within four seconds of them being live , she will most likely throw you out onto the streets to fend for yourself .
Will you have an exit strategy , a stocked pantry , copious backup plans and enough security to last you forever ?
Yes .
Will you be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unhealthy relationship with their work from home computer ?
Also yes .
Even the apocalypse can ’ t stop a Capricorn , so don ’ t expect to be enjoying yourself any time soon with them — unless you like spreadsheets and their hourly analytical stock market self talk .
Then , be our guest .
But really , blink twice if you need help .
Despite being the kind of person who feels deeply and gives a lot of love , Cancers are also the most unhealthily in their feelings , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelming for you when you have other things on your mind .
They will constantly be talking to you , asking if you are okay .
If you look at them the wrong way ?
Moody .
If you give their dog more attention than them ?
Moody .
If you take your eyes off of them for one minute ?
Moody .
This may not be the energy you need when , you know , the world is ending .
An Aries will be an incredibly fun apocalypse wife , but if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her , you will be sat down , and passionately yelled at for the rest of your days .
Once this happens , an Aries will also not be interested in being holed up with you , so she may throw you away just as easily as she fell in love with you .
A relationship with an Aries woman can turn toxic extremely fast , so it may not be in your best interest to choose the kind of wife you couldn ’ t spend weeks in isolation with if things went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably the most likely person on this list to try and convince you to take that super risky 12 dollar Spirit Airlines flight to Los Angeles .
Need we say more ?

1. Virgo
A Virgo would be the best apocalypse wife because you will literally never have to want for anything. She has thought everything through. You need artisanal hand sanitizer from France? She bought that 6 months ago, just in case. You need a glass of the best vintage wine your state has to offer? She has a case in the basement. You need someone to debate with, or talk to, about all of the things on your mind? She’s listening. You feeling a little frisky? She’s up for a little end of the world intimacy. And when push comes to shove? She is as calm, cool and organized as you’d expect. All around, she’s the catch you need during trying times.
2. Taurus
Admittedly, a Taurus may not be the most organized when it comes to having a plan in place for the end of the world, but their extreme need for comfort in their everyday lives makes them a great apocalypse wife because every day of isolation will feel like a perfectly padded daydream. Will your Taurean apoca-wife be organized enough to have an escape plan that doesn’t consist of shrugging their shoulders and napping through the crisis? Absolutely not. Will she burn you a $76 dollar candle, make you the most delicious meal of your life, dive into magical conversation with you about the Universe and aliens and so on, and make you laugh all while knowing exactly what show to binge watch on Netflix? Yes. Plus, it has been said that the only happy people in the world are those who are banging a Taurus, so. There’s that too.
3. Libra
The Libra apocalypse wife is simply third on this list because they favor beauty and kindness as if their lives depended on it. If you’re looking to isolate yourself with someone who will not only give you a lot of attention, but do it in the kind of environment that is perfectly luxe, comforting and stylish? It’s her. Libras are fiercely easygoing, so this will the most chill wife to have in your corner while the world is ending.
4. Gemini
A gemini is such a fun loving, and interesting human being. You can be sure that the conversation while quarantined will be the absolute best. Because she is constantly seeking new things to get distracted by, you will both continue to find new and exciting ways to stay engaged and entertained. Because Geminis would die without attention, you can also be sure that they will love having you around. Just don’t ignore her, and you will be the happiest little isolated couple until the end of time.
For the person who is always googling astrological compatibility when they meet someone new. How You’ll Do Everything Based On Your Zodiac Sign includes an exhaustive analysis of each sign’s personality. You’ll learn which high school clique represents them (Pisces are the cool art kids), who would get eaten first in a scary movie (Gemini, obviously) to how each sign prefers to say ‘I love you’ (for Taurus, it’s with good food). Alternating between silly, sweet, and serious, this book is filled with deep dives into the mind of everyone whose birth chart you can get your hands on. Buy now
5. Pisces
A pisces woman will spare nothing to make you happy. As a quarantine wife, she will go the extra mile to make sure that your needs are met. However, she is also extremely sensitive and can get moody from time to time. Despite her ability to get into her feelings, a Pisces is loyal and nurturing. Whatever you’re going through, she will be there to listen, and to make you feel better. Being isolated with a Pisces will feel like a watery dream, even if it can get a little stormy at times.
6. Scorpio
A Scorpio woman is extremely demanding, so if you’re looking for the kind of apocalypse wife who just takes care of everything and lets you live out your days in comfort? Scroll to the top of the list. If you are, however, looking for the kind of person who is deeply passionate and, to be blunt, a huge freak that will not take their hands off of you? You’ve found your match.
7. Aquarius
This kind of woman is strong and independent and has always been living in her mind, so isolation won’t change her. Aquarians are extremely well adapted to making even the weirdest situations feel normal, and you can be sure that your aquarian apocalypse wife will do just that.
8. Leo
The great thing about having a Leo as an apocalypse wife is that they are fun as hell. Seriously, there will never be a dull moment with the kind of person who literally craves attention like it is their life source. You will be constantly entertained. However, these women are also extremely moody. It’s her way or the highway, so if you disagree with her, or say anything to upset her, or if you don’t like one of the twelve Instagrams she’s posted in the last hour within four seconds of them being live, she will most likely throw you out onto the streets to fend for yourself.
9. Capricorn
Will you have an exit strategy, a stocked pantry, copious backup plans and enough security to last you forever? Yes. Will you be sitting around watching someone enter into an unhealthy relationship with their work from home computer? Also yes. Even the apocalypse can’t stop a Capricorn, so don’t expect to be enjoying yourself any time soon with them — unless you like spreadsheets and their hourly analytical stock market self talk. Then, be our guest. But really, blink twice if you need help.
10. Cancer
Despite being the kind of person who feels deeply and gives a lot of love, Cancers are also the most unhealthily in their feelings, and in quarantine that could get a little overwhelming for you when you have other things on your mind. They will constantly be talking to you, asking if you are okay. If you look at them the wrong way? Moody. If you give their dog more attention than them? Moody. If you take your eyes off of them for one minute? Moody. This may not be the energy you need when, you know, the world is ending.
11. Aries
An Aries will be an incredibly fun apocalypse wife, but if you do anything to anger or disturb her, you will be sat down, and passionately yelled at for the rest of your days. Once this happens, an Aries will also not be interested in being holed up with you, so she may throw you away just as easily as she fell in love with you. A relationship with an Aries woman can turn toxic extremely fast, so it may not be in your best interest to choose the kind of wife you couldn’t spend weeks in isolation with if things went awry.
12. Sagittarius
A Sagittarius apocalypse wife is probably the most likely person on this list to try and convince you to take that super risky 12 dollar Spirit Airlines flight to Los Angeles. Need we say more?


thoughtcatalog--2020-03-16--28 Coronavirus Pickup Lines You Can Use On Tinder

Coronavirus is taking over the world but people are still on dating apps .
If we ’ re all this thing together , it means we can keep talking and bringing joy to others as we self-quarantine .
Please use these pickup lines to wow the woman or man of your choosing and continue to have a whirlwind pen pal romance while you are practicing social distancing .
The Coronavirus might have shut everything down , but I ’ m still open for business .
You ’ re the only snacc I wan na stock up on !
So , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date ?
Knock knock Who ’ s there ?
Orange Orange who ?
Orange you going to ask me to self-isolate with you ?
Do you want to be my date to the end of the world ?
I heard we ’ re supposed to order in to support local businesses .
Your place or mine ?
I ’ ve got plenty of food and TP — want to bunker down with me ?
How are you feeling ?
I make a great nurse 😈 Want to watch ‘ Contagion ’ together ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to exercise our fears .
I bet you ’ d look beautiful even with a face mask on .
You look like you ’ d make a sexy nurse .
*cough cough* I think I ’ ve got the black lung pop .
If you need someone to self-isolate with I make a mean Quarantini .
The whole world might be getting sick but I ’ ll never get sick of looking at you .
My admiration of you could never be quarantined .
I ’ m here and you don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What ’ s your third wish ?
If the Coronavirus doesn ’ t take you out , can I ?
The only thing not quarantined is my heart when I look at you .
Wow , you ’ re so beautiful I wish we could be in quarantine together !
Are you Joe Goldberg ?
Because I ’ d like to go in the box now .
Do the coronavirus give you a temperature ?
Because you ’ re hot !
I ’ m not sure if I ’ m blinded by your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side effect of Covid-19 .
I think you ’ re the cure I ’ ve been searching for .
You look like the type of medicine I need .
The only thing I ’ m infected by is attraction to you .
Do you know CPR ?
Because you take my breath away !

Coronavirus is taking over the world but people are still on dating apps. If we’re all this thing together, it means we can keep talking and bringing joy to others as we self-quarantine. Please use these pickup lines to wow the woman or man of your choosing and continue to have a whirlwind pen pal romance while you are practicing social distancing.
***
The Coronavirus might have shut everything down, but I’m still open for business.
***
You’re the only snacc I wanna stock up on!
***
So, Skype or Google Hangouts for the first date?
***
Knock knock
Who’s there?
Orange
Orange who?
Orange you going to ask me to self-isolate with you?
***
Do you want to be my date to the end of the world?
***
I heard we’re supposed to order in to support local businesses. Your place or mine?
***
I’ve got plenty of food and TP — want to bunker down with me?
***
How are you feeling? I make a great nurse 😈
***
Want to watch ‘Contagion’ together? I heard it’s a good way to exercise our fears.
***
Netflix and chill (over Facetime)?
***
I bet you’d look beautiful even with a face mask on.
***
You look like you’d make a sexy nurse.
***
*cough cough* I think I’ve got the black lung pop.
***
If you need someone to self-isolate with I make a mean Quarantini.
***
The whole world might be getting sick but I’ll never get sick of looking at you.
***
My admiration of you could never be quarantined.
***
I’m here and you don’t have to leave your house. What’s your third wish?
***
If the Coronavirus doesn’t take you out, can I?
***
The only thing not quarantined is my heart when I look at you.
***
Can’t spell quarantine without U R A QT.
***
Wow, you’re so beautiful I wish we could be in quarantine together!
***
Are you Joe Goldberg? Because I’d like to go in the box now.
***
Do the coronavirus give you a temperature? Because you’re hot!
***
I’m not sure if I’m blinded by your beauty or if that’s another side effect of Covid-19.
***
Need a hand sanitizer massage?
***
I think you’re the cure I’ve been searching for.
***
You look like the type of medicine I need.
***
The only thing I’m infected by is attraction to you.
***
Do you know CPR? Because you take my breath away!


thoughtcatalog--2020-03-17--27 Coronavirus Stories About What It’s Like In Italy Right Now

Hour by hour we are hearing scary news out of Italy where the Coronavirus ( Covid-19 ) outbreak has caused lockdowns and residents are quarantined to their homes .
Some think that where Italy is now , the US will be in two weeks .
As a reminder to please , please take this pandemic seriously , here are actual stories from people in Italy affected by Coronavirus right now : The situation here is very critical .
The number of infections rises hour by hour as well as that of the dead .
Hospitals are full .
There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work long and exhausting shifts .
All hospital wards have been converted to deal with the Covid-19 emergency .
All possible health professionals have been recalled from retirement .
There are no more masks .
The countries of the European Union , which has very little of “ Union ” , have blocked the export of sanitary material to Italy .
The only country that came to our rescue was China .
Life is hard .
You only go out for issues of necessity such as food , work or medical urgency .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 is not a simple flu .
For the elderly , immunosuppressed people and all those with pre-existing diseases such as cancer , HIV , asthma , etc.
, can be lethal .
For others the symptoms are very high fever , excruciating muscle pain , dry cough and severe sore throat .
The duration is several days compared to a normal flu .
Personally the men in my family are all at risk .
My three older brothers suffer from asthma and my younger brother is HIV positive .
My father is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schools and universities are closed , such as pubs , restaurants , shops etc .
Nobody can go out .
We organize flash mobs on the balconies every day .
We sing our national anthem and other songs that have made the history of Italy .
We filled Instagram with memes .
We entertain ourselves in this way to try to survive this situation .
I conclude with a thought , which I hope will make you think : my people are full of flaws , full of stereotypes , poor and with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wait for the aberrant “ herd immunity ” , that is to sacrifice the weakest to save the stronger , in my country the strongest are fighting with every possible means to save the weakest .
Every single one of them .
We will come out on our knees and injured , but we will go out with our heads held high because we Italians have put people in front of economic interests .
This is my people , my country , my Italy .
Sorry for my bad English.
” — nontodicochisono @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We can ’ t even leave the house and have a walk unless we have a dog .
I live near Venice and for the first time you can see fish swimming in the canals since there are no boats functioning , so there are some good sides to this .
But I feel like I ’ m going crazy and my peers feel like that too.
” — margherit4 “ I live in Tuscany .
The covid 19 virus has arrived in my town .
The local supermarket is empty , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was diagnosed with cancer recently , I am deeply worried for his health , because contracting the coronavirus would probably kill him .
All schools are closed , and you can find covid 19 awareness ads everywhere .
The situation looks surreal .
There are riots in prisons , and the economy is falling apart .
There are circa 7000 cases of coronavirus .
You can find hand sanitizer bottles on amazon.it for 90 euros .
Hotels and restaurants are going bankrupt and you can ’ t find almost any tourist in Florence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I hope that this coronavirus outbreak will end soon.
” — _YourAverageRedditor “ I don ’ t live in Italy but live in another part that ’ s in quarantine .
So here the situation gotten pretty bad they shut down the schools until the 8th of April and because of that I ’ m gon na have to spend my birthday in quarantine and the only stores that are open are pharmacies and grocery stores .
There is NOTHING left in the grocery stores they also cancelled any trainings for sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
We are having lessons online and have to do specific work for one period until we move onto the next , we have online school from 9am to 4pm .
It ’ s gon na be tough having to spend every day in our homes apart from our dog walks and errands ” — alexxxxxxxxiii “ Hi , I am from Rome .
I wan na be as much honest with you , this Covid19 Pandemic is pretty terrible and I ’ ve never seen Rome so dead during winter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not allowed ro leave home without certain reasons ( Taking out pets , buying groceries , I even heard u can go for a walk but have to keep a certain distance from others ) Tbh I am positive about this , Rome has only 100 cases and we are staying home , I ’ ve never seen Italy so united .
But please , Foreign people , don ’ t say that this virus is nothing , because that thought lead to people in Milan going out as if there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only have a restricted number of intensive therapy units spread all over Italy , but especially in the North , so if the south gets a number of infected as high as the North does now people would die because there are not enough equipments .
We have to stay at home for the safety of everyone .
If I got the covid , I would probably be safe and just suffer the flu symptoms at home , but if a vulnerable person got it they would have to go to the hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a place for them ?
The doctors would have to choose who dies and who survives.
” — sofytofy “ I am from Slovenia and we have 96 people that are sick as of today our population is older , our borders with italy and Croatia are closed everything is slowly closing .
People are in panic and scared…To any European redditors THIS ISNT A JOKE Get as many things as u can and go inside away from society.
” — lemisa7 “ I ’ m here , at my study desk , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crying , praying that my dad will be okay It ’ s the 19th day of quarantine , I can ’ t hold my tears back anymore.
” — V4lent1n4 “ Both my parents are now in ICU because of the virus .
I ’ m now living completely alone and I eat just thanks to my neighbours .
I can ’ t .
I just can ’ t continue like this.
” — V4lent1n4 “ In my town , if you go around by car , you will most likely stopped by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going out of town , and might spread the disease .
The roads are empty , and so are the parks.
” — LordEssential “ I live very near to the ( it has changed ) red zone .
Our hospital is full , people keep talking about 25 year olds tubed to keep them from dying to asphyxiation .
All our stores and shops are shut down , only pharmacies and food markets are still going .
There are now some regulations we must follow ( fines and jail time up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who refuse to comply ) : people in food markets are welcomed , but only one member per family group , we ( the staff ) must to wear masks and gloves ( even if it is just to show customers that we are “ prepared ” ) and no human interaction closer than 1 meter .
Police is controlling the streets , to make sure only people that must go to work , shop for food ( then you must send them the receipt ) , visiting family members who are unwell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets a fine , at least .
It ’ s a bit concerning now because are lives are impacted so much , this I am becoming a little anxious.
” — giovannireds “ My grandfather cried for hours as funerals are banned until further notice and he fears , in the unfortunate event of his death through COVID19 , he would not have a proper funeral.
” — ivoryart “ Everybody is turning fucking crazy and from today on we ’ re forced to stay at home no matter what.
” — loveforlana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I went to a class with a girl who has coronavirus now , if I go out I can be arrested and spend 3 months in jail.
” — jackb26 “ If you watch the Italian tv you ’ ve probably seen dozens of ads on how to either stay home , wash you hands and keep the “ safety distance ” from one another .
I receive almost everyday updates via email from university about how bad the situation is and how important is to follow the new laws and just stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but none of us wants to get sick so you got ta do what they tell you to do.
” — mbd777 “ Not Italian but stayed there for the past one and a half month We only intended to stay there for two weeks but because of the coronavirus in Hong Kong we stayed longer ( Italy was safer at that time ) But we rushed back to HK three days ago cuz Italy was going out of control People still hug and kiss ( the Italian greeting ) on the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks .
As a HKer I really don ’ t understand… people here in HK literally wear masks every time go out now , that ’ s how the increase rate of cases slow down here People look at you when you wear a mask We wore masks at the airport , wow , the security check guy sounded so pissed off I don ’ t know why Italian , please , be alert and stay safe .
Masks are useful… ” — daehwing “ My days go like this : -I wake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -I go for a walk in the fields ( sometimes I call my best friend to sit next to me in the field and share a cigarette ) -I play videogames and spend time with my sisters -I have dinner -More videogames until I fall asleep ” — AleksZag “ A great fear around here is also how the southern part of italy ( as of now the bug majority of cases are in the north ) will face the virus , because they have something like half the number of intensive care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two separate countries , but a difference between the two parts does exist , at least on a economic level .
Here in the epicenter where are already struggling a lot , turning ambulance garages into hospital spaces , calling pensioners back to work .
We lack the resources and the people .
If the virus were to strike the southern regions in the say way it happened here , it will probably do worse .
Our hope is that the actions taken will bring to some results in a couple of days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are being stopped and reported by the public officers for being outside without a certifiable reason , schools have been and will say closed for at least a month and a half , queues outside supermarkets are hours long because of regulation , streets are empty ) .
Honestly , looking at the numbers of other countries , it just feels like we are the test case for Europe , ahead of a couple of weeks.
” — lucreziaray “ I live in the southeast point of Sicily ( souther than part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s all calm all the streets are empty and the only shops open are the one for strict necessities and even if on paper it sounds cool to be home all day watching youtube or tv , it ’ s really not fun we don ’ t even have video lessons and the PC I currently have at home can ’ t even play Minecraft so I literaly have nothing to do and I think that when this ends I ’ ll go to school with more enthusiasm ” — Marco11_11_11 “ Im @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on quarantine is that we can ’ t go to any city close to us , and if we do so , we risk to get arrested for 6 months .
Also , i live in a very small town with only 5,000 people living in .
It ’ s not the best situation , but it ’ s ok .
There are many police cars and streets are desert , even locals , before they were full , now they ’ re empty .
I know lots of people and friends that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town attached to our town , and they can ’ t even go and give her a kiss .
Everyone now is a little bit depressed because of this , and that ’ s what i call being lucky of being single lol.
” — T0mmy_D3mo “ I ’ ve spent the past two months locked in my house to prepare my exams , so let ’ s say it ’ s no big deal for me to stay home .
Virtual lessons from uni are a mess since they had to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week or so and the servers are going down every two days .
I pay my respects to the IT technicians because they must be working like crazy to make it work .
The have been very serious protests in jails because visitations have been suspended , sadly resulting in some inmates taking their lives .
Right now I worry for the elderly of my family , especially my grandma since she hasn ’ t understood the dangers of the situation and she doesn ’ t like being locked home with my grandpa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s mother since she already has serious health issues .
Also , I can not see him since we live in different cities , and it sucks.
” — grev_dawndiver “ it ’ s mostly just very depressing .
i ’ m a high school student going to an international school , which means my school day is longer compared to normal italian public schools- which means i sit on my ass from 8 am to 3:40 pm , 5 days a week- and then continue to sit on my ass for every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m not allowed to go anywhere .
today is the 18th day in quarantine- i live outside of milan and we are not allowed to leave the town or even go outside unless it is for food , some kind of medical emergency or to walk our dogs ( even that though , you won ’ t see anyone walking about for more than 30 mins ) .
it seemed cool for the first few days- my friends would come over to my house and we could actually see other humans aside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ ve stopped allowing that as we all live in different towns .
during “ school ” , it can get very lonely , especially if our teachers do not decide to do a video call type of lesson .
my friends and i sit in a discord call all day and play background coffee shop sounds to make it seem a bit less quiet .
i feel for my older friends who are living alone and have no choice but to stay at home with no one to talk to .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have proper equipment- neither do the actual doctors and nurses working there .
my family has managed to find one ffp3 mask- which was 40 euros , which is an insane price , but you know .
i just hate how quiet everything has become , at least in my town .
i see people on twitter saying to take advantage of cheap flights and such , and it makes me scared- please refrain from doing that .
the only way to stop this from spreading is if we limit the amount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who might get infected .
that was a long ramble , but that ’ s pretty much it .
i ’ m really starting to feel like shit over not being able to go outside- and i ’ m not someone who leaves the house often anyway .
i feel bad for my dog , too .
i wish i could take him outside properly.
” — italian-rabbit “ I ’ m a university student and all schools and uni are closed until April 3rd .
Many professors are trying to keep up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Since usually it takes me 90 minutes to go to uni , I appreciate doing it from my bedroom while having breakfast .
I think of what shows I ’ ll watch on netflix or what games I ’ ll play next .
In my personal experience , it ’ s pretty chill ( although it will surely get boring very soon ) .
There are a lot of new notifications and info and rules from the goverment every day , so it ’ s a bit difficult to keep up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is closed , except for first necessity shops ( grocery stores , pharmacies , places that sell newspapers , and a few more ) .
Everything else is closed .
Every shop , bar , restaurant , cinema , pub , theatre etc .
all social events are also cancelled such as weddings and funerals .
You can leave home only for buying food or medicine or to go to work ( since every shop is closed though , all office jobs are trying to go 100 % smart working to keep people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty much only doctors and nurses are allowed to move freely at this point .
If you want to go outside you need to write a module where you state your motivation and it must be valid .
I think you need even if you ’ re walking by foot and as for today even ‘ just wanted to walk around ’ is not considered valid enough anymore .
There are high fines for people who go outside not caring about this .
( I just read an article of people getting arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people ) .
A few days ago when total lockdown was announced ( but it was not as strict since some shops were still open ) supermarkets were raided and the President had to make an announment yesterday saying that food resources will not be a problem and not to go all together at the grocery shops .
Now there are lines outside where people must be 1 meter from the other and they let only 20ish people inside at the same time .
So if you ’ re not sick , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new lifestyle but we can manage ok .
The real problems is in hospitals , especially the ones in the north were the virus started first .
There are too many sick people and not enough resources for everyone .
Almost 2000 new people get diagnosed every day .
Not everyone has deadly symptoms and must go to the hospital but many , too many , have .
There isn ’ t enough space , enough beds or enough breathe supporters for all the patients .
Hospitals must decide who to treat first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the highest change of living .
That is the scariest part I think .
Nurses and doctors are overworked and have been working 24/7 for days because there are not enough of them .
So yeah , even if it ’ s annoying being closed at home , I think it ’ s necessary for us to be responsabile and keep the virus from spreadind further and further and hit people who can ’ t make it .
I don ’ t know anyone in my close group of friends and family who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scared for the elderly in my family .
My dad is a doctor and goes outside for work everyday and we live with my grampa who ’ s very old so I really hope nothing happens to him .
I hope our situation helps other countries too .
It ’ s not ‘ living in fear ’ , it ’ s just being aware of what can happen .
I don ’ t think we ’ ve fully realised what ’ s really going on either .
It ’ s just day 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At least we have memes.
” — 14383421 “ I ’ m an American .
I know everybody wants to hear from Italians , and I think that ’ s really important , but I think some information needs to be shared .
I ’ m from Florida .
I “ work ” in a hospital .
I ’ m a 3rd year medical student who is fighting to keep my position since they are trying to get everybody to stay home and away from potentially infected patients .
That being said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our clinicals since we need a certain number of hours , and what better time to learn crisis management than now , right ?
That being said , people are robbing our hospitals of masks , gloves , and sanitizer .
It ’ s disgusting considering we need every bit of supply possible .
The number of cases being reported isn ’ t even close to being true .
I can ’ t speak for all 50 states , but in Florida there are known cases that don ’ t make the news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same ICU floors as everybody else .
People aren ’ t getting tested because : 1 .
We don ’ t have enough test .
2 .
They haven ’ t been traveling within the last 2 weeks .
3 .
They aren ’ t dying yet .
I ’ m sure it ’ s happening across the country , but you only hear so much about it .
Patients could be dying , or have died , of pneumonia but weren ’ t tested because of either point 1 or 2 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their classes being moved online .
The schools aren ’ t trying to stop the spread , they ’ re trying to slow it down so hospitals aren ’ t flooded at once like Italy .
The response rate of the US is that of see no virus , hear no virus , then there is no virus .
A lot of younger people are goofing around knowing they aren ’ t likely to die from it .
You ’ re not , but your parents , grandparents , diabetic friends , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immune system may very well die .
Also , don ’ t cough or sneeze into your hands .
That ’ s gross .
Face plant into your elbow like you care about infecting other people with whatever disease you have .
And why are the shelves bare of soap ?
Do you guys not wash your hands already ?
Do you really need 20 bottles of it , or are you panicking because you know you cough into your hands and then go shake someone else ’ s. ” — Rzees “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year of “ audiovisivo e multimediale ” , basically I study how to edit photos and videos ( that ’ s not the only thing I do , it ’ s the main one ) .
Im in one of the regions that were on lockdown since the beginning .
I ’ ve now been locked in my home for almost a month .
School is now online , and I can ’ t do the manual work , as I used the computer at school , and I don ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home .
The teacher keep giving us work .
I will soon begin the video lessons , and I don ’ t really want to .
I haven ’ t seen my boyfriend for a month ( he lives close to where the infection first begun ) , and I ’ ve come to realize how active my social life is .
I ’ ve been getting weight , and even if I have all of this free time , I ’ m just lazy and never do anything .
But let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Italians here are either listening to our prime minister and staying at home ( all Italy is in lock down until the 3rd of April , and it will probably continue for a few months more ) , or spreading the hashtag “ I ’ mNotStayingHome ” because..Italians are dumb .
A lot of ppl are convinced that the virus isn ’ t gon na do anything , the government is just lying to us and we should live as nothing is really happening .
They started giving out these papers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where you basically write down why you ’ re going out , where , and from where to where .
If you don ’ t have it , even if you ’ re going for a walk ( which is still forbidden ) and you don ’ t have that paper , you can get a fine of 200 euros ( for my American and English fellas , it ’ s like 222 $ and 181£ ) , though the fine can get higher or lower , depending the situation , or you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It might sound a bit “ too much ” , but the prime minister was wise to take such decisions .
All of Italians , up until a week ago , just didn ’ t care about the spread of the virus , and continued their life as nothing happened .
Now not a lot of people are out , only who works and those who have to go help their elder relatives , go to buy groceries etc .
Oh , for the groceries , only a certain number of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only one per family.
” — meancing

Hour by hour we are hearing scary news out of Italy where the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak has caused lockdowns and residents are quarantined to their homes. Some think that where Italy is now, the US will be in two weeks. As a reminder to please, please take this pandemic seriously, here are actual stories from people in Italy affected by Coronavirus right now:
***
“I live in the Veneto region.
The situation here is very critical. The number of infections rises hour by hour as well as that of the dead.
Hospitals are full. There is no more space. Doctors and nurses work long and exhausting shifts. All hospital wards have been converted to deal with the Covid-19 emergency. All possible health professionals have been recalled from retirement. There are no more masks. The countries of the European Union, which has very little of “Union”, have blocked the export of sanitary material to Italy. The only country that came to our rescue was China.
Life is hard. You only go out for issues of necessity such as food, work or medical urgency.
Every day is a war bulletin. Covid-19 is not a simple flu. For the elderly, immunosuppressed people and all those with pre-existing diseases such as cancer, HIV, asthma, etc., can be lethal. For others the symptoms are very high fever, excruciating muscle pain, dry cough and severe sore throat. The duration is several days compared to a normal flu.
Personally the men in my family are all at risk. My three older brothers suffer from asthma and my younger brother is HIV positive. My father is old and with a poor health.
Schools and universities are closed, such as pubs, restaurants, shops etc.
Nobody can go out. We organize flash mobs on the balconies every day. We sing our national anthem and other songs that have made the history of Italy. We filled Instagram with memes. We entertain ourselves in this way to try to survive this situation.
I conclude with a thought, which I hope will make you think: my people are full of flaws, full of stereotypes, poor and with questionable governments, but while other countries wait for the aberrant “herd immunity”, that is to sacrifice the weakest to save the stronger, in my country the strongest are fighting with every possible means to save the weakest. Every single one of them. We will come out on our knees and injured, but we will go out with our heads held high because we Italians have put people in front of economic interests. This is my people, my country, my Italy.
Sorry for my bad English.” — nontodicochisono
***
“It’s really depressing. We can’t even leave the house and have a walk unless we have a dog. I live near Venice and for the first time you can see fish swimming in the canals since there are no boats functioning, so there are some good sides to this. But I feel like I’m going crazy and my peers feel like that too.” — margherit4
***
“I live in Tuscany. The covid 19 virus has arrived in my town. The local supermarket is empty, just like the streets. Since My cousin was diagnosed with cancer recently, I am deeply worried for his health, because contracting the coronavirus would probably kill him. All schools are closed, and you can find covid 19 awareness ads everywhere. The situation looks surreal. There are riots in prisons, and the economy is falling apart. There are circa 7000 cases of coronavirus. You can find hand sanitizer bottles on amazon.it for 90 euros. Hotels and restaurants are going bankrupt and you can’t find almost any tourist in Florence, that was previously flooded with tourists. I hope that this coronavirus outbreak will end soon.” — _YourAverageRedditor
***
“I don’t live in Italy but live in another part that’s in quarantine. So here the situation gotten pretty bad they shut down the schools until the 8th of April and because of that I’m gonna have to spend my birthday in quarantine and the only stores that are open are pharmacies and grocery stores. There is NOTHING left in the grocery stores they also cancelled any trainings for sports or lessons for any one who has them. We are having lessons online and have to do specific work for one period until we move onto the next, we have online school from 9am to 4pm. It’s gonna be tough having to spend every day in our homes apart from our dog walks and errands” — alexxxxxxxxiii
***
“Hi, I am from Rome. I wanna be as much honest with you, this Covid19 Pandemic is pretty terrible and I’ve never seen Rome so dead during winter. As far as it goes, we are not allowed ro leave home without certain reasons (Taking out pets, buying groceries, I even heard u can go for a walk but have to keep a certain distance from others) Tbh I am positive about this, Rome has only 100 cases and we are staying home, I’ve never seen Italy so united. But please, Foreign people, don’t say that this virus is nothing, because that thought lead to people in Milan going out as if there was nothing wrong.” — Aosoderomaa
***
“We only have a restricted number of intensive therapy units spread all over Italy, but especially in the North, so if the south gets a number of infected as high as the North does now people would die because there are not enough equipments.
We have to stay at home for the safety of everyone. If I got the covid, I would probably be safe and just suffer the flu symptoms at home, but if a vulnerable person got it they would have to go to the hospital. And if there isn’t a place for them? The doctors would have to choose who dies and who survives.” — sofytofy
***
“I am from Slovenia and we have 96 people that are sick as of today our population is older, our borders with italy and Croatia are closed everything is slowly closing. People are in panic and scared…To any European redditors THIS ISNT A JOKE Get as many things as u can and go inside away from society.” — lemisa7
***
“I’m here, at my study desk, trying to concentrate My mum is outside crying, praying that my dad will be okay
It’s the 19th day of quarantine, I can’t hold my tears back anymore.” — V4lent1n4
***
“Both my parents are now in ICU because of the virus. I’m now living completely alone and I eat just thanks to my neighbours. I can’t. I just can’t continue like this.” — V4lent1n4
***
“In my town, if you go around by car, you will most likely stopped by police because they think you’re going out of town, and might spread the disease. The roads are empty, and so are the parks.” — LordEssential
***
“I live very near to the (it has changed) red zone. Our hospital is full, people keep talking about 25 year olds tubed to keep them from dying to asphyxiation. All our stores and shops are shut down, only pharmacies and food markets are still going. There are now some regulations we must follow (fines and jail time up to 3 months are the consequences to those who refuse to comply) : people in food markets are welcomed, but only one member per family group, we (the staff) must to wear masks and gloves (even if it is just to show customers that we are “prepared”) and no human interaction closer than 1 meter. Police is controlling the streets, to make sure only people that must go to work, shop for food (then you must send them the receipt), visiting family members who are unwell. Everyone else, if caught, gets a fine, at least. It’s a bit concerning now because are lives are impacted so much, this I am becoming a little anxious.” — giovannireds
***
“My grandfather cried for hours as funerals are banned until further notice and he fears, in the unfortunate event of his death through COVID19, he would not have a proper funeral.” — ivoryart
***
“Everybody is turning fucking crazy and from today on we’re forced to stay at home no matter what.” — loveforlana
***
“I was already in quarantine because I went to a class with a girl who has coronavirus now, if I go out I can be arrested and spend 3 months in jail.” — jackb26
***
“If you watch the Italian tv you’ve probably seen dozens of ads on how to either stay home, wash you hands and keep the “safety distance” from one another. I receive almost everyday updates via email from university about how bad the situation is and how important is to follow the new laws and just stay home, it gets boring at first but none of us wants to get sick so you gotta do what they tell you to do.” — mbd777
***
“Not Italian but stayed there for the past one and a half month
We only intended to stay there for two weeks but because of the coronavirus in Hong Kong we stayed longer (Italy was safer at that time)
But we rushed back to HK three days ago cuz Italy was going out of control
People still hug and kiss (the Italian greeting) on the day we leave
People don’t wear masks. As a HKer I really don’t understand… people here in HK literally wear masks every time go out now, that’s how the increase rate of cases slow down here
People look at you when you wear a mask We wore masks at the airport, wow, the security check guy sounded so pissed off I don’t know why
Italian, please, be alert and stay safe. Masks are useful…” — daehwing
***
“My days go like this: -I wake up around lunch time -I have lunch -I go for a walk in the fields (sometimes I call my best friend to sit next to me in the field and share a cigarette) -I play videogames and spend time with my sisters -I have dinner -More videogames until I fall asleep” — AleksZag
***
“A great fear around here is also how the southern part of italy (as of now the bug majority of cases are in the north) will face the virus, because they have something like half the number of intensive care units – it’s not like two separate countries, but a difference between the two parts does exist, at least on a economic level. Here in the epicenter where are already struggling a lot, turning ambulance garages into hospital spaces, calling pensioners back to work. We lack the resources and the people. If the virus were to strike the southern regions in the say way it happened here, it will probably do worse. Our hope is that the actions taken will bring to some results in a couple of days (they have been pretty strict – people are being stopped and reported by the public officers for being outside without a certifiable reason, schools have been and will say closed for at least a month and a half, queues outside supermarkets are hours long because of regulation, streets are empty). Honestly, looking at the numbers of other countries, it just feels like we are the test case for Europe, ahead of a couple of weeks.” — lucreziaray
***
“I live in the southeast point of Sicily(souther than part of north Africa) here it’s all calm all the streets are empty and the only shops open are the one for strict necessities and even if on paper it sounds cool to be home all day watching youtube or tv, it’s really not fun we don’t even have video lessons and the PC I currently have at home can’t even play Minecraft so I literaly have nothing to do and I think that when this ends I’ll go to school with more enthusiasm” — Marco11_11_11
***
“Im Italian, and the worst thing being on quarantine is that we can’t go to any city close to us, and if we do so, we risk to get arrested for 6 months. Also, i live in a very small town with only 5,000 people living in. It’s not the best situation, but it’s ok. There are many police cars and streets are desert, even locals, before they were full, now they’re empty. I know lots of people and friends that have a girlfriend in the other small town attached to our town, and they can’t even go and give her a kiss. Everyone now is a little bit depressed because of this, and that’s what i call being lucky of being single lol.” — T0mmy_D3mo
***
“I’ve spent the past two months locked in my house to prepare my exams, so let’s say it’s no big deal for me to stay home. Virtual lessons from uni are a mess since they had to put up a platform for it in a week or so and the servers are going down every two days. I pay my respects to the IT technicians because they must be working like crazy to make it work.
The have been very serious protests in jails because visitations have been suspended, sadly resulting in some inmates taking their lives.
Right now I worry for the elderly of my family, especially my grandma since she hasn’t understood the dangers of the situation and she doesn’t like being locked home with my grandpa, and also for my bf’s mother since she already has serious health issues. Also, I cannot see him since we live in different cities, and it sucks.” — grev_dawndiver
***
“it’s mostly just very depressing. i’m a high school student going to an international school, which means my school day is longer compared to normal italian public schools- which means i sit on my ass from 8 am to 3:40 pm, 5 days a week- and then continue to sit on my ass for every hour after that including weekends because i’m not allowed to go anywhere.
today is the 18th day in quarantine- i live outside of milan and we are not allowed to leave the town or even go outside unless it is for food, some kind of medical emergency or to walk our dogs (even that though, you won’t see anyone walking about for more than 30 mins).
it seemed cool for the first few days- my friends would come over to my house and we could actually see other humans aside from our own families. however, they’ve stopped allowing that as we all live in different towns. during “school”, it can get very lonely, especially if our teachers do not decide to do a video call type of lesson.
my friends and i sit in a discord call all day and play background coffee shop sounds to make it seem a bit less quiet. i feel for my older friends who are living alone and have no choice but to stay at home with no one to talk to.
our hospitals are full and we do not have proper equipment- neither do the actual doctors and nurses working there. my family has managed to find one ffp3 mask- which was 40 euros, which is an insane price, but you know.
i just hate how quiet everything has become, at least in my town. i see people on twitter saying to take advantage of cheap flights and such, and it makes me scared- please refrain from doing that. the only way to stop this from spreading is if we limit the amount of people going outside and doing nothing who might get infected.
that was a long ramble, but that’s pretty much it. i’m really starting to feel like shit over not being able to go outside- and i’m not someone who leaves the house often anyway. i feel bad for my dog, too. i wish i could take him outside properly.” — italian-rabbit
***
“I’m a university student and all schools and uni are closed until April 3rd. Many professors are trying to keep up by streaming online classes or giving homework. Since usually it takes me 90 minutes to go to uni, I appreciate doing it from my bedroom while having breakfast. I think of what shows I’ll watch on netflix or what games I’ll play next. In my personal experience, it’s pretty chill (although it will surely get boring very soon).
There are a lot of new notifications and info and rules from the goverment every day, so it’s a bit difficult to keep up with everything. As for today, everything is closed, except for first necessity shops (grocery stores, pharmacies, places that sell newspapers, and a few more). Everything else is closed. Every shop, bar, restaurant, cinema, pub, theatre etc. all social events are also cancelled such as weddings and funerals.
You can leave home only for buying food or medicine or to go to work (since every shop is closed though, all office jobs are trying to go 100% smart working to keep people from going outside). I think pretty much only doctors and nurses are allowed to move freely at this point.
If you want to go outside you need to write a module where you state your motivation and it must be valid. I think you need even if you’re walking by foot and as for today even ‘just wanted to walk around’ is not considered valid enough anymore. There are high fines for people who go outside not caring about this. (I just read an article of people getting arrested for having a birthday party with 20+ people). A few days ago when total lockdown was announced (but it was not as strict since some shops were still open) supermarkets were raided and the President had to make an announment yesterday saying that food resources will not be a problem and not to go all together at the grocery shops. Now there are lines outside where people must be 1 meter from the other and they let only 20ish people inside at the same time.
So if you’re not sick, it can be difficult to adapt to this new lifestyle but we can manage ok.
The real problems is in hospitals, especially the ones in the north were the virus started first. There are too many sick people and not enough resources for everyone. Almost 2000 new people get diagnosed every day. Not everyone has deadly symptoms and must go to the hospital but many, too many, have. There isn’t enough space, enough beds or enough breathe supporters for all the patients. Hospitals must decide who to treat first, and those are the ones with the highest change of living. That is the scariest part I think. Nurses and doctors are overworked and have been working 24/7 for days because there are not enough of them.
So yeah, even if it’s annoying being closed at home, I think it’s necessary for us to be responsabile and keep the virus from spreadind further and further and hit people who can’t make it. I don’t know anyone in my close group of friends and family who has the virus but I’m scared for the elderly in my family. My dad is a doctor and goes outside for work everyday and we live with my grampa who’s very old so I really hope nothing happens to him.
I hope our situation helps other countries too. It’s not ‘living in fear’, it’s just being aware of what can happen. I don’t think we’ve fully realised what’s really going on either. It’s just day 3 of quarantine and April 3rd is far. At least we have memes.” — 14383421
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“I’m an American. I know everybody wants to hear from Italians, and I think that’s really important, but I think some information needs to be shared.
I’m from Florida. I “work” in a hospital. I’m a 3rd year medical student who is fighting to keep my position since they are trying to get everybody to stay home and away from potentially infected patients. That being said, most of us want to continue our clinicals since we need a certain number of hours, and what better time to learn crisis management than now, right? That being said, people are robbing our hospitals of masks, gloves, and sanitizer. It’s disgusting considering we need every bit of supply possible.
The number of cases being reported isn’t even close to being true. I can’t speak for all 50 states, but in Florida there are known cases that don’t make the news. They sit those patients on the same ICU floors as everybody else. People aren’t getting tested because: 1. We don’t have enough test. 2. They haven’t been traveling within the last 2 weeks. 3. They aren’t dying yet. I’m sure it’s happening across the country, but you only hear so much about it. Patients could be dying, or have died, of pneumonia but weren’t tested because of either point 1 or 2.
I hate the people who were complaining of their classes being moved online. The schools aren’t trying to stop the spread, they’re trying to slow it down so hospitals aren’t flooded at once like Italy. The response rate of the US is that of see no virus, hear no virus, then there is no virus. A lot of younger people are goofing around knowing they aren’t likely to die from it. You’re not, but your parents, grandparents, diabetic friends, and anyone else who has a weak immune system may very well die.
Also, don’t cough or sneeze into your hands. That’s gross. Face plant into your elbow like you care about infecting other people with whatever disease you have. And why are the shelves bare of soap? Do you guys not wash your hands already? Do you really need 20 bottles of it, or are you panicking because you know you cough into your hands and then go shake someone else’s.” — Rzees
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“Normal high school student here, third year of “audiovisivo e multimediale”, basically I study how to edit photos and videos (that’s not the only thing I do, it’s the main one). Im in one of the regions that were on lockdown since the beginning. I’ve now been locked in my home for almost a month. School is now online, and I can’t do the manual work, as I used the computer at school, and I don’t have all of the softwares and projects here at home. The teacher keep giving us work. I will soon begin the video lessons, and I don’t really want to. I haven’t seen my boyfriend for a month (he lives close to where the infection first begun), and I’ve come to realize how active my social life is. I’ve been getting weight, and even if I have all of this free time, I’m just lazy and never do anything.
But let’s not talk about me now. The Italians here are either listening to our prime minister and staying at home (all Italy is in lock down until the 3rd of April, and it will probably continue for a few months more), or spreading the hashtag “I’mNotStayingHome” because..Italians are dumb. A lot of ppl are convinced that the virus isn’t gonna do anything, the government is just lying to us and we should live as nothing is really happening. They started giving out these papers for when you exit your house, where you basically write down why you’re going out, where, and from where to where. If you don’t have it, even if you’re going for a walk (which is still forbidden) and you don’t have that paper, you can get a fine of 200 euros (for my American and English fellas, it’s like 222$ and 181£), though the fine can get higher or lower, depending the situation, or you can get arrested up to three months. It might sound a bit “too much”, but the prime minister was wise to take such decisions. All of Italians, up until a week ago, just didn’t care about the spread of the virus, and continued their life as nothing happened. Now not a lot of people are out, only who works and those who have to go help their elder relatives, go to buy groceries etc.
Oh, for the groceries, only a certain number of people can enter the super market, and only one per family.” — meancing
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thoughtcatalog--2020-03-17--There Is No Such Thing As Falling Behind, There Is Not Just One Way Your Life Can Unfold

Here is a sentence that will either disrupt your worldview or free you , and probably both : Everybody is having the exact experience that they are meant to be having .
This is hard to accept when we see people around us making what we perceive to be grave errors in their lives .
This is hard to accept when we witness the people we love struggling and we want to show them the way out .
This is hard to accept when we can ’ t stop judging and punishing ourselves for not being better , farther , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and before we really have a sense of autonomy , our lives are governed by a process , a specific order .
We know that we learn to crawl then walk .
We know that we learn to tie our shoes and put on our jackets .
We know that when we ’ re done with 2nd grade , we go to 3rd .
We are reinforced by our peers , by our family , by our grades .
We know that the goal is to graduate , pursue a job or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have kids .
Then , of course , life happens .
We find that this one formula for an existence is just really a suggestion , one to guide us toward prosperity and not self-destruction .
We aren ’ t often given a lesson on how to be fulfilled .
We aren ’ t often told what to do if we don ’ t quite get there when everyone else does , if our big milestones are letdowns , or most commonly , if we check off every box on the list and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still empty inside .
Falling behind is an illusion .
There is no such thing .
There is not one way for your life to unfold .
Sometimes , we have to take the back road because the long way around teaches us what we need to know .
Sometimes , we sit in our own pain for years before we start waking up and adjusting our behavior .
Sometimes , what we learn from being different is more important than what we ’ d learn from fitting in .
Sometimes , our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sometimes , we do peak early .
Sometimes , we need years of growth and self-discovery to decide what we need next .
Sometimes , the point of the journey is to have different experiences , not just to cycle through a series of them until we decide on the one thing we want forevermore .
When we believe that it is possible to fall behind , we place limits on our lives .
When we believe that it is possible to fall behind , it is because we think that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a certain series of check points… until we die .
Graduate , get a job , pay the bills , mildly hate yourself , get married , fight with your spouse , have kids , fight with them , grow old , retire… and then try to enjoy what ’ s left .
If you are truly worried about falling behind your peers , please ask yourself what you really think you ’ re falling behind on .
So many people met every single milestone they were meant to and are no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life is not about just going through the motions .
Life is to be lived .
Life is to be experienced .
And we often find that our pain is the portal to awakening to that experience .
Discomfort is the signal that there ’ s more for us , there ’ s more to savor , more to feel , to be .
What if you did not measure your life by how it compared to who is around you , but instead how it felt inside of you ?
What if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ type of growth that people can see , but the type of personal growth that revolutionizes you , the kind that changes the way you do everything from sipping your coffee in the morning to breathing in spring air .
Sometimes , the setback is the journey .
Because the path you were on wasn ’ t going somewhere you wanted anyway .
Sometimes , the setback is the wake up call you need to save your life .
Because otherwise , you were barreling toward your own self-destruction .
Sometimes , being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It means you ’ re on a journey of something deeper , and something bigger , that most people wouldn ’ t even dare to dream of .

Here is a sentence that will either disrupt your worldview or free you, and probably both:
Everybody is having the exact experience that they are meant to be having.
This is hard to accept when we see people around us making what we perceive to be grave errors in their lives.
This is hard to accept when we witness the people we love struggling and we want to show them the way out.
This is hard to accept when we can’t stop judging and punishing ourselves for not being better, farther, and different.
When we are young, and before we really have a sense of autonomy, our lives are governed by a process, a specific order.
We know that we learn to crawl then walk.
We know that we learn to tie our shoes and put on our jackets.
We know that when we’re done with 2nd grade, we go to 3rd.
Our lives are built-in reinforcing systems.
We are reinforced by our peers, by our family, by our grades.
We know that the goal is to graduate, pursue a job or an education, get married, and have kids.
Then, of course, life happens.
We find that this one formula for an existence is just really a suggestion, one to guide us toward prosperity and not self-destruction.
We aren’t often given a lesson on how to be fulfilled.
We aren’t often told what to do if we don’t quite get there when everyone else does, if our big milestones are letdowns, or most commonly, if we check off every box on the list and find that we are, somehow, still empty inside.
Falling behind is an illusion.
There is no such thing.
There is not one way for your life to unfold.
Sometimes, we have to take the back road because the long way around teaches us what we need to know.
Sometimes, we sit in our own pain for years before we start waking up and adjusting our behavior.
Sometimes, what we learn from being different is more important than what we’d learn from fitting in.
Sometimes, our greatest successes are decades in the making.
Sometimes, we do peak early.
Sometimes, we need years of growth and self-discovery to decide what we need next. Sometimes, the point of the journey is to have different experiences, not just to cycle through a series of them until we decide on the one thing we want forevermore.
When we believe that it is possible to fall behind, we place limits on our lives.
When we believe that it is possible to fall behind, it is because we think that the point of life is just to arrive at a certain series of check points… until we die.
Graduate, get a job, pay the bills, mildly hate yourself, get married, fight with your spouse, have kids, fight with them, grow old, retire… and then try to enjoy what’s left.
If you are truly worried about falling behind your peers, please ask yourself what you really think you’re falling behind on.
So many people met every single milestone they were meant to and are no happier for it.
This is because life is not about just going through the motions.
Life is to be lived.
Life is to be experienced.
And we often find that our pain is the portal to awakening to that experience.
Discomfort is the signal that there’s more for us, there’s more to savor, more to feel, to be.
What if you did not measure your life by how it compared to who is around you, but instead how it felt inside of you?
What if your priority wasn’t on the type of growth that people can see, but the type of personal growth that revolutionizes you, the kind that changes the way you do everything from sipping your coffee in the morning to breathing in spring air.
Sometimes, the setback is the journey.
Because the path you were on wasn’t going somewhere you wanted anyway.
Sometimes, the setback is the wake up call you need to save your life.
Because otherwise, you were barreling toward your own self-destruction.
Sometimes, being different isn’t a bad thing.
It means you’re on a journey of something deeper, and something bigger, that most people wouldn’t even dare to dream of.


thoughtcatalog--2020-03-15--50+ Best Coronavirus Memes To Laugh At While Civilization Disintegrates Around Us

These are difficult times , and sometimes the best way to deal with even the most serious of problems is @ @ @ @ @ further ado here are some of the best coronavirus memes or COVID-19 memes to give @ @ @ @ @ all the chaos and morbidity .
Meme culture is here to save the day from @ @ @ @ @ a collective framework where we can all laugh at the craziness .
This page will @ @ @ @ @ best coronavirus memes as we gather them from around the web .
The first meme @ @ @ @ @ ; what reality and strange fictional book are we living in ?
In any case @ @ @ @ @ brighten your day for a little bit .

These are difficult times, and sometimes the best way to deal with even the most serious of problems is to laugh. So without further ado here are some of the best coronavirus memes or COVID-19 memes to give you a temporary break from all the chaos and morbidity.
Meme culture is here to save the day from coronavirus or at least provide a collective framework where we can all laugh at the craziness. This page will be updated with all the best coronavirus memes as we gather them from around the web. The first meme here is just too true; what reality and strange fictional book are we living in? In any case we hope these memes can brighten your day for a little bit.
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