- Opening

- Short comparison about how other countries go

- explanation of the situation in the Czech republic

- send the face masks vid + explain how we are coping with it

- "nag" about how western countries are in a big trouble + "nag" americans for not taking it seriously + TELL OFF Trump

-maybe the Italian situation + video

Hello everyone, I'm back from the dead!

Not musical related, yet alone ALW related - though, if you guys have Instagram/FB/Twitter, check out ALW's "Composer in isolation" posts. Amazing and uplifting, he even had a play-off with Lin Manuel-Miranda, and later with Nile Rogers.

I felt like I should address this issue, but I didn't want to start too soon in case something else happened, which, well... it's in the USA spreading pretty badly, and in Italy it seems like an apocalypse.

In this rant, literal rant, I don't want to talk about all this stuff about "pls stay safe guys", "don't go out". Been there, done that. No offense to anyone who already wrote something like this. I want to

-talk about actual facts here

-look at it from the Global point of view (not just because I'm the foreigner chick here)

-nag some people for not taking it seriously (it may get political here)

-give some ACTUAL advice to you

-also talk about my country's situation even though it isn't as "bad" here and tell you what we are doing better than richer and bigger countries - no offense unless you are a world leader

We all know this started in China and somehow spread literally everywhere. Now China is no longer leading in the number of cases, the first is the USA. Then Italy, then China. Numbers aren't important. The virus attacks the respiratory tract and spreads through the access to the tract. Just to summarise.

What is now happening is that most countries are trying to secure themselves and other complain they aren't getting any help. It is hard, but what are most of us supposed to do?

I'm going to brag about Czechia for a moment - because I need to explain some things before we get to the advices and nagging politicians.

My country is now in a state of emergency - school are closed, borders are closed, well basically everything is closed except for grocery shops, supermarkets, pharmacies and drugstores. One would say all of this is useless, because we have "only" 4543 confirmed cases (at the moment of this writing).

Well let me explain. About a month ago, we got the first cases here, only about three, (one was a foreign student returning from Italy). Suddenly within a WEEK the number went to 90. The thing is, we are a small country. 10 mill population, equal to NYC. If it had to go up to the same level as in Italy, we'd be screwed. You would probably read on my profile that I got it. Therefore on Tuesday, the government first announced that all primary, secondary and high schools will be closed. I had a lesson at the University in the afternoon that day, and our faculty's Facebook was buzzing with discussions about whether we'll be closed to or not - well obviously we were, it wouldn't make much sense to only close all schools except universities since the virus doesn't attack children as much as adults. That day was the last time I went to school and since the next day I have "coronalidays". And my mum has no job because she's a guide for incoming, therefore with the closed borders... you know.

We barely go out, unless we need groceries. The government only gave us recommendations at first, but surprisingly most people obeyed it (post-communist attitude, but at least it's usedul). Now it's actually an obligation to wear face masks when going out. And yes, we too had shortage of disposable face masks - so people started making them at home. More about that later.

One last thing - we were pretty much the first EU country who started these regulations, and most other countries then would start copying us - closing schools, not allowing events more than 30 people... etc. Not to boast. I'll explain.

Now I need to say something about other countries, particularly those that have the biggest trouble with the virus.

Here's the problem. Western countries - no offense - are extremely lucky and unlucky at the same time. They are way too used to their freedom. And their leaders and govs wouldn't dare to give out anything more than a recommendation. Therefore, if the people (you) won't take an action themselves, you are about to be in a big trouble... in which some countries already are. Do not go out unless extremely necessary. Protect your respiratory systems - wear a face masks or at least cover your nose and mouth when going out.

I remember an interview with a Czech sportsman who was in America back then (IDK if he's returned now). He claimed that he bought face masks for himself and his wife, however, when he went out, no Americans seemed to be taking it seriously. No offense American readers (how many times am I going to repeat this?) but it's time you do.

Then there's the thing with Trump boasting about how "Coronavirus could never reach America." Well, now he has it there - it's almost like all Americans have to pay for his arrogance. But instead of humbling down, this dude continues saying something like "these are all just recommendations, they are not obligatory, I will not myself follow them". And then he blames EUROPE for not stopping the virus. As if he never had any contact with the origin of the pandemy - China. I seriously feel for you guys.