The time when the coronavirus could be considered a purely Asian problem is now over. The number of infected people is now rising rapidly, not only in Asia, and infections have now been reported on almost all continents.
In Europe, too, the novel virus is spreading increasingly rapidly. Especially in Italy, the number of infected people and unfortunately also the number of fatalities is skyrocketing.
In this article we will therefore focus on the question of whether a trip to Italy should now be cancelled because of the coronavirus.
How can you protect yourself?
Medical experts warn against panic, saying that although the degree of infection with the coronavirus is extremely high, the danger posed by this virus is comparable to influenza. However, it is possible to vaccinate against the flu, while research is still underway for a vaccine against COVID-19, better known as the corona virus.
For both diseases, influenza and the corona virus, hygiene must be observed. In this sense, it is important to wash your hands regularly with warm water and soap or to disinfect them regularly.
Breathing masks or face masks and protective goggles are also recommended to reduce the risk of infection due to the droplet infection. It is also important to keep your hand or arm in front of you when coughing or sneezing, as this is already a requirement of etiquette and should not be new.
Another important point for self-protection is to avoid crowds, such as sporting events, concerts or discos.
These events have also recently been suspended in some regions of Italy in order to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
If you want to minimise the risk of infection, you avoid contact with infected people, which means that you are not currently travelling to regions where the virus is relatively common. With this in mind, doctors are currently advising against travelling to Italy.
Not all Italian regions are equally affected, but caution should be exercised.
Should you still travel to Italy despite the coronavirus?
Although Italy is not the only country in Europe affected, the number of people who fall ill is particularly high there. And some infections, for example of a Brazilian, an Austrian and a German, are due to previous trips to Italy.
Even though Italy is always worth a trip, one’s own health and safety is much more valuable. Accordingly, not only should you refrain from travelling to Italy at the moment, but you should also reconsider any travel plans.
As already mentioned, an important precaution is to avoid crowds, which also means that you should stay away from airports and large train stations if possible.
Conclusion
It is important not to panic and spread hysteria, but to act calmly and considerate. A German paediatrician expressed himself in an interview with the SZ in this sense that he sees hysteria as the greatest threat of the corona virus.
So now it is time to take precautions, observe hygiene rules and, if necessary, rethink travel plans. But not give up social life and live in fear and terror. Especially at this time of year it is quite normal for many people to cough and sneeze. Nevertheless, one should always pay attention to self-protection and thus postpone a trip to Italy for the time being.