Thread by @patrickhopkins

Ok people it’s time for some tough love. Please RETWEET THIS because everybody needs to hear it.

Like it or not, your life is about to be affected by #COVID2019. Take it from me – I’m in the middle of a yellow zone in Italy with my family. /1

#COVID2019 #LiveTweetingthePandemic

Setting aside whether the virus is dangerous or not (that’s not my area), the fact remains that institutions are taking measures to fight it and so your life is likely to be affected in some manner, whether you like it or not, whether you get sick or not. /2

I understand. You feel like you’re overreacting if you take any steps to get ready for #COVID2019. Nobody’s got it where you live. It’s “just a flu.”

But the world you’re living in today is not the world you were living in last week. This is not freaking out. This is reality./3

People like me in the yellow zone have had to adjust their lives to this new reality. It wasn’t our choice. The schools are shut down. Trade shows have been postponed. Religious services are being canceled. In red zones businesses are closed and people quarantined at home. /4

It’s coming. Wouldn’t you prepare if you were about to get hit by a hurricane? Or is that not tough? Only weaklings prepare? Of course not.

Life in the next few months is not going to be like your life was until last week. Maybe for the next 1.5 years until there’s a vaccine. /5

So you’re not being crazy. You’re not panicking. You’re not overreacting. A storm named #COVID2019 is coming. YOU NEED TO PREPARE. You need to protect your home and family. /6

It’s not just you. Govts are shutting down schools. Businesses are adjusting. Govts are stopping flights. If govts are taking these steps why shouldn’t you take your own steps? /7

So be practical. No need to build a bunker. No need to sit on the porch with a shotgun. But since the best way to beat a virus is to reduce social interactions, you and your family may be spending more time than usual at home in the coming months. /8

Maybe you’ll be in a yellow zone where schools, museums, social gatherings are shut down for a few weeks. That’s ok. You can handle it. You just need to be ready for it. Think about what you would need in such a situation and get prepared NOW. /9

If you’re a business owner, it’s possible that your employees may have to stay at home for a few weeks. They may not be traveling as much as they did in the past. Think NOW about what you can do to make your business work if people are at home. /10

If you’re a school teacher or administrator, it’s possible your school might be closed for 1-3 weeks. What can you do to teach your students online? Can you give them homework? A book to read and discuss? Otherwise I assure you they'll be playing video games 24/7 for 3 weeks. /11

It’s time to get prepared. Make sure your pantry is well stocked. Make plans for your home, business and school. Make your home comfortable.

It’s not crazy. It’s not tin foil hat. It’s being smart and practical. A storm is coming.

Don’t delay. The virus moves FAST. /end

If you want to know what life is like in a yellow zone in Italy then go ahead and follow me. I'm #LiveTweetingthePandemic #COVID2019