I live in Lombardy, so I can tell you that there are 3 main reasons why Lombardy became the epicenter of the epidemic in Europe.
>1. Population density
Lombardy has one of the most dense populations in Europe. Whether they live in big or small cities, practically everyone here lives in tiny flats surrounded by a sea of cement. Sum this with high numbers of immigrants (tons of which are Chinese cheap labor) and the spreading of the virus is ensured.
>2. Pollution
Lombardy is THE most polluted region in Europe. I've lived in Milan for some time and the air there is almost impossible to breathe, which is why people already used to have a huge number of respiratory issues every single year. If you add to this the high humidity of the past January and February, the virus was spreading at the speed of sound.
>3. Average age and birth rates
With a birth rate of 1.3, Italy has the second oldest population in the entire world, after Japan. This is why the virus has such a high mortality rate here: it's not that it is much more dangerous than influenza or a common flu, but the fact that it hits a far higher number of individuals at risk, i.e. old people with pre-existing conditions.
In summary, you cannot avoid the virus for long, in fact it's likely that you already have it. But why do you think there have been no cases among children yet? Because they repel the virus? No, it's because normal healthy individuals will never develop any symptoms whatsoever. Therefore, what you CAN do is staying away from cities and going out in nature as much as possible, so that you can keep your immune system strong by absorbing sunlight and breathing fresh air. Also, do not smoke and do not sit on a chair all day, try to do some movement. Stay healthy bros.
