Italian Man Wears Giant Social Isolation Disk To Protect Himself From Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Originating in Wuhan, China, late last year, it has spread around the globe, putting millions of vulnerable people at risk. With no known cure, many countries have taken increasingly extreme measures to halt its spread, including Italy, which is currently under a lockdown that could reportedly see those defying the measures charged with murder.

People are only allowed to leave their homes to get food and for family emergencies, or necessary work reasons, and those who go outside have been told to keep a distance of at least three feet between themselves and others.

Now, one man has come up with a novel solution of maintaining the distance - a giant disk:

In a video posted to social media, the man can be seen wearing the disk which ensures that he does not come into close contact with anyone else while grocery shopping at Testaccio market. He was able to successfully shop thanks to a claw tool typically used to pick up litter.

The man filming the video asks him in Italian: "And would this be the security distance for?"

He replies: "For coronavirus!"

The man filming then bursts into hysterics and says: "Wonderful. I can't cope!"

Italy's lockdown was introduced earlier this week following the initial decision to quarantine the north of the country.

According to WHO, social distancing should be enacted by everyone when they come into contact with a person who coughs or sneezes as the virus can be spread through their droplets.

The CDC has issued the following guidelines for anyone who is showing symptoms of the virus.

In a report from the WHO yesterday, they declared that the COVID-19 outbreak is now being officially recognized as a pandemic:

"WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and we are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction.

"We have therefore made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic.

"Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly. It is a word that, if misused, can cause unreasonable fear, or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over, leading to unnecessary suffering and death."

As of yesterday's report, there have now been more than 118,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across 114 countries, and 4,291 people have lost their lives.

[ By VT ]