“Heed the warnings.” That’s the one big takeaway in a recent dispatch from Katherine Wilson, an Italian mom who is currently living through the nightmare in Rome. (1) In the most impacted country thus far, if she had it to do over, what kinds of things would she do differently? Turns out she’d do a lot differently, but it all funnels up to heeding the warnings. Listening to the authorities, and following the steps.
Italian Mom Says Kiddos Stay Home
They are practically bouncing off the walls with so much pent up energy, and you’d really love to get away from them. But don’t. Katherine was aware of warnings a few weeks back, but didn’t see the harm in letting her teens go out in the fresh air… and then straight into other people’s homes. By now it’s common knowledge that the virus tends to have the strongest impact on older people and that kids, in particular, can be asymptomatic carriers. It’s easy to see how the virus spread from home to home undetected for weeks. Katherine says not to pay any attention to what other parents are doing either; if in a few weeks there was nothing to worry about, then so be it. Don’t worry about how much screen time they are getting. The important thing is that nobody spreads infection, or gets infected. With the benefit of hindsight, it’s clear that “nothing to worry about”, means the distancing works.
Mama Says Shop Responsibly
You have a ton of time on your hands now. The importance of your immune system and its connection with your diet has never been trumpeted louder than right now. So, buy the good veggies and the high-quality foods. But don’t buy too much of them, because your neighbors need healthy immune systems too. There is no need to hoard. Weeks into the outbreak in Italy, one of the few things Italians can still do is go to the grocery store every day. The shelves are fully stocked, and there is no shortage of bathroom tissue. (1)
Italian Mom Says Cool Your Jets
Not to harp on the fact that you have next to nothing to do, but it’s true. No work, school, or social engagements means that you have a whole lot of time to cook that beautiful food you shopped so responsibly for. There is time to take an online course if you like, hang out with your kids, or smooch your pooch. Sleep late, learn how to knit, or write that business plan you’ve been putting off.
True, social distancing is the mechanism by which the spread of this virus can stop. But the result of all that distancing is a great amount of time for rest and relaxation, which is so healthy for every part of you. Body, mind, and spirit are all quenched when you just sit down and cool it for a bit. Try it, you’ll like it!
No News Is Good News
It bears repeating that the only thing that stops the spread of this virus is washing hands and staying away from others. No amount of obsessing about the latest news is going to change the fact that good hygiene and social distancing are the keys. Our Italian mom says to steer clear of obsessing about it and do something constructive with your time instead. (1)
This is all great advice, coming from someone who is living the reality we face in the US in just two short weeks. It’s up to each of us to do our part in stopping the spread of this deadly virus. We’re all on the front lines together.
