#CoronaVirusUpdate from #Italy for March 27 2020. Bittersweet news. Contagion rate is declining, even though death count is rising. Resist panic. Total +#covid19 cases = 86,498, of which 66,414 infected (+4,401 = +7.2%) 10,950 recovered and 9.134 deaths (+969). /1
Death rate reflects 15-20 days ago, while new #coronavirus contagion rate = current cases. That's why infection rate is (for me) is more reliable indicator than death rate. Infection rate reflects slowdown due to lockdown. Deaths still coming in from pre-lockdown contagion. /2
Shocking, 969 people in one day. I knew one of them. But must stay focused. Top experts tell us the sacrifice, the #stayhome measures to contain #covid19 are working. I see it in the models I am monitoring. #Mattarella confirmed in his heartwarming speech to the nation. / 3
Today I too watched #PopeFrancis bless the city and the world, praying for an end to pandemic. Epic moment in empty St. Peter's Square. The basilica bells rang out, mixed with eerie siren of an ambulance. "Why are you afraid?" the pope asked. "Have you not yet faith?" /4
#PopeFrancis prayed for consolation for health care workers worldwide (44 doctors have died iso far n Italy's #coronavirus battle), but even said a special prayer for the supermarket workers, whom I have silently lauded myself while in line at the checkout counter. /5
My top takeaway from "Urbi et Orbi" was: Pandemic should not be viewed as a judgement from God, but rather a time for us to judge, “to choose what matters and what doesn't, a time to separate what is necessary from what's not. A time to get our lives back on track.” /6
And finally, dear followers, a rare personal essay written to my fellow #Idaho natives, thanks to an unexpected request by @TheJohnsonPost, who published the piece today in The Lewiston Morning Tribune, where I was first hired as a reporter way back in 1993! 
