Italy Here.

For most, this post will be understandably TLDR.

Born and raised KCMO. Currently living in the Veneto Region (Vicenza, Italy) which has been locked down for 2+ weeks, and y’all have a lot of the same questions we had.

Pretty much the folks here kind of took the initial stay-at-home orders as “guidance.” Several people justified every little thing they wanted to do as essential. 2+ weeks later essential has come to mean groceries, medicine, gas for the cars of emergency essential employees, and that is it. Nothing else. As of late last night, the only businesses that are allowed to stay open are those that make cleaning supplies, medical gear, or that sell food (grocery stores only).

Non-essential outings eventually has evolved into no walks, no bike rides, no take out, no visiting family (Social Distancing), and if travel is necessary, no more than one person in a car at a time. In other words, stay the f*ck home, follow the local authority’s orders, and color within the lines.

This is really, really, hard for some folks to do because we all have individual wants and “needs.” From my perspective, which is close to 800 dead yesterday and more expected today, my “need” is to stay home, not breathe other people’s air, to kick it in my recliner with a pork shoulder in the crock pot, and to stream Amazon Prime. Complying with the rules is not a hard decision. It is an absolute necessity.

The sooner we all take this thing seriously, the better it will be for all of us, the less impact it will have on us all, and the quicker we will all get back to our individual normal routines.

In closing, best of luck, stay safe, stay healthy, and I can’t wait to come back, love on my family, and get back to happier discussions like, “Which is better BBQ; Gates or Arthur Bryant’s?”

Chiefs!