It is the second week of the COVID-19 lockdown in Italy. The whole country is in the so-called “red zone”. About three weeks ago, people refused to take the arrival of this virus seriously, in part because Dr. Maria Rita Gismondo, director of the Microbiology, Virology, and Bioemergencies Laboratory at Luigi Sacco University Hospital in Milan, he had reported that it was little more than the normal flu and that the virus would no longer be discussed after a week (by March 4). She thought the Italian public had been collectively brainwashed by the media, saying: “C’e’ stato a lavaggio del cervello collettivo.“She was not the only influential person who thought that there was little to fear. Therefore, many people did not know what to think. I, for example, wondered why the Chinese had worked so hard to combat this virus if it was not so lethal. I was left concerned, even though, thanks to Dr. Gismondo, I thought it was still safe to drive cautiously. Also, many employers continued to force their employees to work, thinking that Dr. Gismondo and some other “experts” were right after of everything.
In Cremona, one of the regions hit by COVID-19, some 60 Americans representing “Samaritan’s Purse” have decided to help by supplying the Maggiore Hospital with the necessary materials that arrive from the United States. These Americans have generously provided medical equipment in horrific conflicts like Somalia, Rwanda, Afghanistan, and Iraq (according to Corriere della Sera). Its staff is made up of sixty people, including doctors and technicians. They will be providing sixty beds and eight places for intensive care. There was already a meeting between these volunteers and Giuseppe Rossi, the director of the Maggiore Hospital. Gianluca Galimberti, the mayor, is grateful that these good Samaritans have come to Italy.
There is a call from local leaders to respect the rules because the cases of illness continue to increase. In the afternoon, the streets of Milan will be empty. The president of the Lombardy region, Attilio Fontana, is begging citizens to stay home because he says more drastic measures will have to be taken if people don’t reduce numbers outside; Any departure from home is a risk for the one who leaves and for others as well.
Wednesday morning at Santa Marta House Chapel, Pope Francis prayed for the deceased and for the health care providers who have given their lives for others. He prayed to God for the end of the pandemic and for the healing of the sick. Pope Francis urges the population not to waste this time, to try to be closer to their families and to dedicate time wisely to reflection. In addition, an important conference that Pope Francis had planned to attend later in March, “The Economy of Francis” in Assisi, was postponed due to the gravity of the Corona virus situation.
Marcello Natali, a 57-year-old doctor, Provincial Medical Secretary of Lodi, has given his life, fighting to the end to save his patients. Although he had no pre-existing conditions, he did not make it, proving that anyone can be a victim of CORONA-19. According to Corriere della Sera (March 18, 2020), Natali was taken to intensive care on March 11 after she had pleaded with the government to provide more evidence for citizenship. Shortly after, he was transferred to Milan. Like many other doctors, nurses, and volunteers who have worked long hours during this emergency, Marcello Natali will always be a hero.
Many Italians have turned to the Internet to keep in touch with friends and family. Neighborhood solidarity groups have been formed on Facebook, Instagram and other social media websites. Many people who have never used these sites before now use them to encourage each other and make suggestions on how to solve problems. A Facebook user posted old photos of community members as children so that other members could participate and guess who those children were. Others took more recent photos of nature.
Italians on Facebook want to know who will be delivering food, water and even pizza to their local homes. Many make comments about the ways people should respond to this international emergency (ie not walking around town too much and staying indoors as much as possible). Many argue about what constitutes acceptable exercise; Is walking outside a really permissible exercise during this difficult period when everyone is supposed to be cooped up indoors? Do you have to be “running” to move around the city? Fortunately, local priests have established religious services, prayers and the online mass to unite the citizenry and give them faith. May your prayers be answered!