I don't see how this could work unless you cordon off populations, test them and _keep_ them isolated from each other. Even then you would have to sterilize goo

I don't see how this could work unless you cordon off populations, test them and _keep_ them isolated from each other. Even then you would have to sterilize goods that passed between isolated groups. That may work for cows if you have enough barns and fences but definitely is impossible for humans. I believe that we must be practical and treat based on symptoms. The oft-sought but elusive "test" is a mirage sought by medical researchers that would be nice but is not practical given today's technology and the limitations of human behavior. Besides the test is generally simply not available. I'll be surprised if the italian towns' quarantines hold.