The red zone at serious risk in Italy, second wave of Covid-19!
Well, I’m in the ‘Red Zone’, an area that is literally in grave danger! As of November 3, 2020, the Italian government has imposed new ‘anti-Covid-19’ restrictions, such as curfews and closures, which are most vital in the Red Zone. These restrictions apply to citizens, tourists, and non-citizen permanent residents. It surprised most of the inhabitants when they received the news abruptly on television a few days ago. Of course, I shared the information that we were in the Red Zone with my friends who would be affected by the event. We are in the same boat, which means we cannot enter or leave the Red Zone without a self-certification stating that we left the area out of necessity. In addition, no one can travel outside their legal municipality without self-certified reasons for work, health and absolute necessity, which they must present to the police if they are detained.
For now, everything looks the same outdoors in the countryside, and I’ve had a few opportunities to take some serene photos of Italy! However, this time there will not be many people singing and dancing on the balconies. Most people are not positive about the restrictions or trust that they are appropriate.
Instead, small businesses fear for their survival in these difficult times. I’ve heard a few conspiracy theories, like the one that these closures exist to help the government gain more control over its residents. A handful believe that God is doing the right thing with a deep reason behind ‘His’ handiwork. Most Italians were hopeful during the first lockdown, thinking that “everything would have gone well”. Having been disappointed, many have been proactive in protesting. Over the past two weeks, there have been several demonstrations from a wide variety of groups insisting that they should be free to go outdoors without masks and that the government need not mandate a strict lockdown.
There are three levels of urgency represented by three separate zones: yellow, orange, and red, with red being the worst. Of course, I’m in red! At this point, gyms, theaters, cinemas, museums and swimming pools are closed. While middle and primary schools are open, all higher-level schools will have to hold online lessons until December 3, something most Italian schools are not ready for. Restaurants and bars in the Red Zone can only serve food and drinks at home, and the curfew is every day from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
The merchants argue that these closures (in the Red Zone) endanger the survival of small businesses. Many small shops, already on the brink of bankruptcy before the second shutdown, have loans and expensive monthly rent to pay. They want to know how they can pay their bills if they are not making money while being ordered to lock their doors. In addition, lower-tier Italian artists have complained that they cannot earn enough money without producing live shows and concerts, one reason why some top artists with excellent financial means have suggested making donations to help their less fortunate colleagues.
At this time, the Italian Health System (Sanitary system) is tense. On TV tonight, I saw reports of churches filled with many beds waiting for Covid-19 patients. Although Italian hospitals are looking for additional medical staff, they usually only offer temporary contracts (six months). This makes me wonder if medical staff are afraid to risk their lives without job security afterwards. It seems that if the cases continue to increase, there will be no more room for patients in hospitals. For this reason, doctors are making more home visits to the elderly in need. Fewer people with non-critical illnesses are being treated, and it is worrying that people with suspected cancer and heart attack are often afraid to go to a hospital for fear of contracting the coronavirus or diverting care from critically ill patients.
Longevity in Italy is currently under attack from the malignant coronavirus. Sick patients are being sent home early because there is no space or security due to the coronavirus in some hospitals. This means that families have to provide in-home services for their elderly relatives when, in regular times, more traveling nurses and doctors would have been accessible. (I inquired about getting a flu shot only to find out you had to have a pre-existing condition to qualify for one if you were under 60.) This year, there is a shortage of flu shots, but it is believed that if residents wear more masks, they will be less likely to catch the common flu. Interestingly, before the pandemic hit, most Italians were opposed to flu shots, but lately, those anti-vaccine activists have been quiet.
Covid-19 is burdensome! He is a killer to be taken seriously. From what I can see, Italians over the age of 60 are generally a bit more conscientious about wearing masks correctly at all times when leaving the house. While younger Italians are more likely to go around without masks, there is a majority who wear masks to protect others, particularly when they have elderly grandparents at home. To tour Italy, one must wear a mask at all times and wash their hands regularly, avoiding touching their face! There are enough people who do not take the virus seriously, so tourists and retirees need to take care. After all, masks have been proven to provide protection wherever you are.
Finding delicious food to prepare at home has not been a problem since the stores are well stocked. You can still have a good time in Italy, although I would recommend staying in an apartment with a patio or balcony in case the restrictions worsen. Someone can deliver groceries, or one might consider shopping (wearing protective masks) once a week at a nearby grocery store if there are no crowds. By refraining from buying too much in stores, people residing in Italy are effectively protecting themselves from exposure.
This is a great time to enjoy healthy, immune-boosting Italian meals. Italian visitors and residents will benefit from a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as other fresh foods that are part of the traditional Mediterranean diet. The online aperitif (i.e. pre-programmed on Skype, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.) now replaces the world famous Italian aperitif that accompanied the evening’passeggiata‘. So no matter where you are in Italy, you can still communicate online with friends and colleagues, embrace ‘work smart’, and even enjoy opportunities to meditate at home over a glass of delicious Italian wine. (November 6, 2020)
