An epidemic in China, known as the Corona virus, became known to Italians after they saw news reports about the Chinese government’s response to it for over a month. People in other countries reacted to this news in much the same way that Italians reacted to this news, which made it seem as if this was something that only happened in other countries. As a result, few people had prepared for a disaster. This was not the first time that an Italian manager had been told to put in place flu-prevention policies, and an emergency plan was suggested at one point in early January. Although the Corona Virus was considered ‘unlikely’ to spread outside of China, one had to keep a positive outlook rather than be paralysed by fear.
Even if you’re from a non-Italian background, you’re more likely to look at life from a positive perspective. However, planning for the best can be like kicking the bucket down the road. With the recent closure of many public schools, politicians are scrambling to find a way to assist struggling small businesses, and funds are being set aside to assist families with children who are left without a caregiver. Long-term consequences could bury the nation in debt, making it difficult for future generations to come to terms with the country’s current problems.
Hugs, kisses, and handshakes have all been outlawed, as have other forms of physical contact. The Prime Minister of Italy, Giuseppe Conte, has also ordered a 30-day ban on open-to-fans soccer games. Although many argue that even soccer players have the right to keep their distance from one another, this has saddened the majority of Italians In addition, until the third of April, all sports events must be held behind closed doors, which remains incredible in a country known for kisses on the cheeks.
Religious practises were severely disrupted by the COVID-19 virus in February and March 2020. Earlier this week, the author went to see the church’s custodians clean the floors and disinfect Borgomanero’s Church of Santo Stefano. Nothing moved, not even a priest or tourist, so the author could concentrate solely on the stunning frescoes and stained-glass windows. Visiting Italy this month will reveal many churches devoid of worshippers due to the natural aversion people have to meeting one another in a confined space, no matter how large or accommodating it appears to be. For fear of spreading the virus, priests have been advised to remove holy water from Catholic churches. Despite the fact that citizens and tourists are able to visit holy shrines, church services are only available via television and the internet. There has also been a rise in the theft of religious artefacts from churches and shrines in recent years, which has led to the closure of churches.
As a result of this investigation, the author has gathered a lot of information about Italian churches, but soccer games and the country’s economic survival seem to be taking precedence at the moment. Low-level employees, for example, are being pushed to work even harder than before in the hopes that other countries will continue to demand their products in times of crisis because of news stories about salvaging the reputation of “Made in Italy.” There were not enough masks available to protect Italian citizens from COVID-19, so a company that had stopped manufacturing medical face masks for the past fifteen years (due to competition from China) was forced to reopen.
It was ironic that a country known for its Venetian Carnival celebrations didn’t have enough masks on hand. Because of a fear of the spread of a contagious disease, this year’s Venetian Carnival parades were cancelled. This led to the country’s tourism crisis, which has since worsened. The United States has issued a level-3 travel warning to its citizens saying that they should avoid travelling to Italy in March, according to Assoturismo, which claims that 90% of hotel reservations in Rome have been cancelled. If you’re visiting Italy, you’ll have to stay at home for 14 days after you get back to the States. Restrictions on travel to and from Italy could lead to anti-Italian sentiment, the leader of the Five Star Party said. Many members of La Lega support a 50-billion-euro bailout.
Many people who used to avoid watching the news due to their distaste for politics are now fixated on it, waiting to see what happens next, whether or not they should stock up on food and masks, whether or not they will go to work, and who will help them get through the emergency.
On the bright side, unlike most Americans, Italians know they won’t have to take on a mountain of personal debt to pay for initial testing and subsequent cures for the Corona Virus. The National Health System (Sistema Sanitario Nazionale) aims to treat both Italians and foreigners who are legally in the country. There is a good chance that the health care system will become overburdened with too many patients during the crisis, despite these good intentions. The Piemonte Region, for example, announced in a message written at 12:30 on March 3rd that simple surgical procedures utilising operating rooms had to be suspended (if they were not urgent procedures) in order to ensure that the virus’s diffusion was contained.
By declaring a one-month closure beginning on March 4th, officials hope to slow the spread of the Ebola virus. During this time, however, schools and universities are allowed to offer classes online whenever possible. When it comes to online education, Italians have been sceptical until now, which means that most teachers and students haven’t had the necessary training to adapt to the new medium. It’s a good thing that this experience will alter Italian attitudes toward using the internet for education, telecommuting, and flexible scheduling.
Do not shake hands, kiss or hug, and do not visit family members in hospice or assisted living facilities if you are over 65, according to the Decree of the Prime Minister of Council (DPCM). Citizens have been advised not to go directly to the emergency rooms, but to dial 112 first to make sure they are not infected with the Corona Virus before heading to the hospital.
The Lombardia Region had also ordered its citizens not to go to the local health clubs after closing the gyms and swimming pools. Many Lombards interpreted the orders in a different way, so they went to the nearby Piemonte Region’s sport clubs instead. As a result, the mayor of Novara, Piemonte, was forced to order the closure of all of the city’s fitness centres. Additionally, some people in Lombardia have attempted to flee the Red Zones of containment so that they can be with their loved ones elsewhere. There were two teachers from Irpinia near Naples who had been ordered not to leave Codogno, but they returned home to Irpinia and were quarantined there with their families, which necessitated quarantining the entire condominium complex.
Art lovers are divided on whether museums should remain open during the COVID-19 crisis. Museums make a lot of money and bring in a lot of visitors from all over the world. In addition, if tourism declines, cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice (as well as many others) will lose out on much-needed tourist taxes (known as the tassa di soggiorno), as well as higher museum admission fees for non-citizens. They know that visitors to Italy will be disappointed if they find museums closed for a month, as they themselves enjoy visiting them.