Some believe the US is just 9 or 10 days behind Italy in the coronavirus progression.
If you could send a message back in time to before the coronavirus outbreak, what would you tell yourself? Would you say to wash your hands more? Work from home sooner? Don’t panic-buy toilet paper? Some believe the US is only 9 or 10 days behind Italy in the coronavirus progression, which is why Italian filmmaker Olmo Parenti asked people in his country to record messages to their past selves of ten days ago, expressing what they wish they’d known then what they do now. He hopes it will help wake up those who still aren’t taking COVID-19 seriously.
The video acts as a sort of message from the future to the not-so-distant past before Italians were put on lockdown amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Some express regret for making fun of people wearing masks at the start of the outbreak, others simply want to urge their past selves to take the outbreak seriously. “A huge mess is about to happen,” they advise their past selves, “Ten days ago we had 2000 people infected now we’re at 18,000.” Overall, the message is clear: don’t panic but take this seriously, because it is.
Mandatory lockdowns have already been enacted in US cities such San Francisco, whose citizens cannot leave their homes except for essentials. As of now, Chicagoans are free to leave their homes, but all restaurants and bars are closed, as well as schools, museums, and many local businesses. State officials are urging people to stay home if they can, wash their hands regularly, and practice social distancing in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Feature photo screenshot of A Thing By video.