Update from Austria:
I went shopping again this morning to see if I could pick up a few items I needed that were sold out yesterday (pocket tissues, ferret litter). I was pleased to see that most of the empty shelves had been replenished, and the queues for the cashiers were back to normal. So maybe the panic buying is over, or maybe it wasn’t really panic buying to begin with—the government is telling everyone to self-isolate for two weeks if they begin showing cold- or flu-like symptoms, and given the virus’s infectiousness, it’s reasonable to stock up on two weeks’ worth of supplies before rather than after symptoms appear (at least if you live alone).
The government held a press conference today to announce a €4 billion package of aid for businesses that are affected by the closures and other restrictions going into effect next week. The aid is intended to prevent businesses from going under and to keep their staff on the payroll, even if they’re not working. The government’s previous commitment to a null deficit has been dropped.
Both the chancellor and the president, as well as the heads of the various federal states, have been very present in the media for the last week, giving interviews, press conferences, and public addresses. They come across as competent, trustworthy, concerned, and in touch with individuals’ and businesses’ fears and needs. They’ve delivered on the promises they’ve made and are frank about things they can’t make promises on (like whether further restrictions will be imposed, though they have for the time being ruled out a 24-hour curfew as in Italy). It’s a rather stark contrast to what I’ve seen from the American federal executive.
I myself came down with a dry cough and sore throat on Monday, but my GP (whose office I called in advance to make sure it was OK to come) thinks it’s most likely a bacterial infection of the throat and prescribed antibiotics. The sore throat is gone but I’m still coughing very persistently, so I won’t be going to work next week. (Going would be reckless if my doctor is wrong, and inconsiderately alarming to my colleagues even if my doctor is right).
Some other miscellaneous news:
[ul]
[li]As of today, there are 672 confirmed coronavirus cases, of which one person has died and six have recovered.[/li][li]Vienna’s trade fair hall is being converted into a care centre for non-critical coronavirus cases. In the first phase, due to be completed next week, 880 beds will be available.[/li][li]All ski resorts in the western part of the country have been shut down. All tourists are required to leave immediately.[/li][li]Some other countries (such as Germany) have now added Austria to the list of countries for which returning travellers should self-quarantine for two weeks.[/li][li]It’s been clarified (to me, at least) that day cares and the child care services operated at elementary schools (which are otherwise closed) are accepting only those children whose parents have no other choice but to be absent from home. Simply having to go to work is not considered a good enough reason; you need to be employed in a critical job (see next point).[/li][li]While there is no legally enforced 24-hour curfew, the chancellor has given several interviews urging people not to leave their homes except for the following three reasons: (1) to meet essential needs (e.g., grocery shopping or visiting the doctor), (2) going to work, but only if you are a critical worker such as a police officer, health care worker, or an employee at one of the few businesses that are permitted to remain open (supermarkets, post offices, etc.), and (3) helping other people who cannot help themselves.[/li][/ul]