The Connection asked two individuals in Great Falls to share their reflections on COVID-19, one through a local and the other through a global lens:

At home, Pia Agostini checks the numbers of COVID-19 deaths and confirmed cases in Bergamo, one of Italy’s hardest-hit cities, where residents have been on lockdown since March 8.

Friday, March 20 – I am heartbroken by watching my beautiful Italy during this tragic situation. Distance from my family and friends has never been more difficult and painful. Today, I am asking for your help to support the health workers and volunteers of the Italian Red Cross of Bergamo and San Donato Milanese, the epicenter of (the) COVID-19 outbreak in Italy, where only today, 475 people died. I am personally in contact with Mrs. Paola Pesenti Bolognini, the Development Area Delegate of the Red Cross of Bergamo. The resources will be used immediately to purchase medical equipment for health workers in the front line who are working around the clock to save lives. This effort is synergistic and complementary to the campaign by the Italian Cultural Society of Washington #WESTANDWITHITALY… Visit https://www.cribergamo.it and click on "DONAZIONE" on the homepage banner. The donation will go directly to Croce Rossa Italiana of Bergamo, the Italian city, which was the hardest hit by the coronavirus where Mrs. Paola Pesenti Bolognini is working.

Saturday, March 21 – Here we are, another sad day for Italy, 793 deaths. About 2 hours ago, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced the decision to stop all productions considered "not necessary," through April 1. Italy has not experienced something like this since the aftermath of WW2...Based on what I have learned by following the situation in Italy, I can strongly recommend to "Enforce Distancing" (here). All around the D.C. metro area, we are still seeing outdoor gatherings, mostly of young adults. This must stop. Do we need authorities to enforce it? Maybe! Distancing will help "flatten the curve," preventing overwhelming of the health care system and more. If we follow distancing, we might be safe from lockdown, and business might be safe from a shutdown.

Now, if we are too late for that option? Well, that's all another story.