Italy's Health System Overwhelmed?
I've mentioned in a few recent blogs that it's been hard to find details about the lockdown policy announced in Italy. There are few details in traditional media. Instead I've browsed social media channels, particularly for first-hand accounts from people living in Italy. Details on the policy were vague there, too, for the first few days, indicating the truth was not that the major media were neglecting to report details but that the Italian government was failing to provide them.
Another story I've picked up from first-hand accounts in Italy, one that's even more concerning, is that its public health system is at the brink of exhaustion. In the northern region of Lombardy, where many of the Coronavirus cases are, hospitals are at capacity. Doctors and staff are at the verge of having to turn away sick patients as there aren't enough hospital beds or equipment like ventilators to go around.
I'm not 100% sure what to make of this situation. Social media reports are not as trustworthy as major media. The reality could be exactly like these threads and sites say, or the authors could be part of an effort to virally share misleading or outright false information to further their political goals. For example, it could be Italy's nativist political right attempting to undermine trust in Italy's ruling coalition. When there's already a credibility gap from how governments have handled of this pandemic it's easier to sow mistrust. Of course, the people looking to sow mistrust are the first to shout "Fake news!" when the media reports a story they don't like- or exposes their dishonesty.
BTW, the reason I trust major media- at least those with reputations for integrity- more than viral reports is that they have time to investigate sources and corroborate facts. Those of us simply reading threads on social media do not.
Another story I've picked up from first-hand accounts in Italy, one that's even more concerning, is that its public health system is at the brink of exhaustion. In the northern region of Lombardy, where many of the Coronavirus cases are, hospitals are at capacity. Doctors and staff are at the verge of having to turn away sick patients as there aren't enough hospital beds or equipment like ventilators to go around.
I'm not 100% sure what to make of this situation. Social media reports are not as trustworthy as major media. The reality could be exactly like these threads and sites say, or the authors could be part of an effort to virally share misleading or outright false information to further their political goals. For example, it could be Italy's nativist political right attempting to undermine trust in Italy's ruling coalition. When there's already a credibility gap from how governments have handled of this pandemic it's easier to sow mistrust. Of course, the people looking to sow mistrust are the first to shout "Fake news!" when the media reports a story they don't like- or exposes their dishonesty.
BTW, the reason I trust major media- at least those with reputations for integrity- more than viral reports is that they have time to investigate sources and corroborate facts. Those of us simply reading threads on social media do not.