In recent days, Italy has become Europe's worst-affected country as a result of the coronavirus. So far, 12 people have died.
Dubliner Ian McKinley, who plays club rugby with Italian side Treviso, lives close to one of the coronavirus hotspots in the north of the country.
Speaking on the Ryan Tubridy Show on RTÉ Radio 1, McKinley, while not lessening the seriousness of the issues, did add that there was "no dramatic reaction from the public".
"I live close to where some of the hotspots areas are in Veneto, but to honest you wouldn't know that anything is really happening," he said.
"There is a carnival happening in Venice.
"It has the feel of 2001 and the Foot & Mouth"
"Okay, the supplies in shops have run down and there are less people in the city centre - but there doesn't seem to be a mad panic, there aren't many face masks.
"For example we were playing a game in Wales last weekend so when we came back we had our temperature taken at the airport. All quite calm."
McKinley also mentioned that some of his Treviso team-mates went to a supermarket on Monday, where there was "absolutely nothing" on the shelves, while on Tuesday it was "fully restocked".
Tellingly, he added: "It has the feel of 2001 and the Foot & Mouth, yet there is no dramatic reaction from the public, despite the death of a woman last night."
As to whether Ireland v Italy at the Aviva Stadium should go ahead, McKinley did mention the option of playing the game "behind closed doors", similar to the situation that now exists in Serie A.
"Ireland may not be too happy with people coming over, but I would see many Italian fans not wanting to take that risk."
