the day before
In the days leading up to Italy’s Coronavirus outbreak, I took a rather Pollyannaish stance on the impending health crisis. I preferred to look on the bright side, figuring the panic and hand-wringing was all for naught. I was wrong. Our entire country is now on lockdown—a measure aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 and thereby limiting its reach to the most vulnerable among us.
It’s not the virus I want to address here today, but rather Italy’s spectacular response to it.
When Prime Minister Conte announced on Monday night that the whole of Italy would become a zona protetta (protected zone), I was partly shocked and partly relieved. The government was taking drastic measures to protect the welfare of its citizens and at that moment I felt a deep sense of pride for my adopted country and its inhabitants.
After the decree was handed down, there appeared a rash of international headlines posing the question, “Would Italians be able to follow the rules?” Well, the answer, at least in my little town in Umbria, is a resounding yes!
Early Tuesday morning as I was getting ready for my day, I could hear the sound of ladies pulling carts down my alleyway, scooters were humming, and voices were speaking in optimistic tones. Around the corner at my neighborhood bar, coffee cups clanged as folks discussed the Coronavirus guidelines while keeping a safe, one-meter distance for each other. The scene at the supermarket was much the same. Patrons weaved in and out to avoid contact, yet people appeared relaxed and upbeat. Clustering is bad. Walking in the sunshine is good. We stay at home as much as possible. Hashtag #IoRestoACasa (I stay at home) is trending on Twitter.
11 March 2020
I don’t know why Italians have sprung into action so magnificently. Perhaps it’s the culture’s reverence for its elderly and infirmed. Maybe, as my friend suggests, they are inspired by the notion of solidarity against a common enemy.
Italians endured the black plague, defeated fascism, and survived Berlusconi.
They got this.
How to socialize in the time of Coronavirus
Orvieto or Bust: 
Bravo! I applaud the Italian government for taking these steps and as always I have the upmost respect for my Italian friends.
Roberta
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Been thinking of you, Toni – so glad to hear you are doing okay! I wish our “leader” had the welfare of his countrymen at the top of his agenda, instead of just the numbers.
Take care.
Paula
Hi Paula!. Thinking of you guys too. We’re all trying to stay positive. Hang in there world! xxxo t
I can only hope the US is not on the same trajectory, although I fear we are and hope we are smart enough to shut things down as Italy did. Tough in the economy? No doubt, but better to see a brighter day. Thinking of all of my Italian friends. State bene!
Hi Laurel. I’m afraid the US is about 10 days behind Italy. American’s also have proven that they can come together in times of crisis. Stay well too! toni
Toni Same here except now the new mandate is NO taking walks, no bars or restaurants open…all shops closed… so, basically we can only go to the grocer, pharmacy and back..and you know how tiny my village is..this is so tough but necessary Take care and stay well
Sent from my iPad http://www.margaretleon.com
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Margaret, I’m no expert and God knows I’ve been wrong before, but I believe if you can go to the store to buy food, you can go on a walk in the countryside. Just go alone and stay one meter from other people that you pass. If I understand it correctly, limit social contact whenever possible and if you do have to greet someone, “social distance” – soon to be added to the world’s lexicon. Stay safe and be well. xxo
Stay safe and hope all goes well for you and all in Orvieto. Have been there 3 times attending art classes at the convent Lodovicio. Loved every minute of it. Would love to live in Italy for at least the 3 months allowed. Either in the Tuscany or Umbria regions. I hope you post more in the future. Love hearing about daily life. Your post was well said and I enjoyed hearing a first hand report. Thank you, Diana >
Hi Diana. Sorry for the late reply. I didn’t see this comment until today. Hope you are well! t
Toni, so glad to hear how things are going there. No one here (in US) says anything about staying a meter away from others. Probably a very sensible thing. My great-niece was in Orvieto for two weeks for a semester abroad program but was sent home a few days ago after 2 weeks. Glad she got to see the area before these limitations set in. Stay well!
Hi Carol. How are you? I wouldn’t say things are going “well” here, but we’re all trying to do our part to beat this thing. Hopefully, these measures will help slow the spread! I’m optimistic (which is my downfall). It was sad that all the students had to be sent home, however, I hope your great-niece enjoyed her short time here. I’m sorry I didn’t know or I would have loved to have met her. Thanks for dropping me a line. t
Thank you, Toni, for this post. Those of us who have visited Italy and fallen in love with it are sending our positive thoughts and hopes that it begins to improve in the not too distant future. There is no doubt in my mind that Italians will pull through this, as they have done so in the past, particularly following the ravages of the fascists and Nazis. Take care of yourself and your friends, stay well and strong!
Stay safe and strong. Following the updates of all my friends around Italy…And my friend Linda from The Beehive has been sharing the news from Orvieto! xx
Hi there. Yes, Linda has spoken of you many times. Thank you for writing and perhaps we will meet one day after this whole thing has passed. Be well! xxoo t
Yes cara, perhaps. How lovely of her 🙂 xx
Toni, thanks for the response. Other than the strangeness of these times (on top of a tornado 10 days ago which did a lot of damage to other parts of Nashville and elsewhere in middle Tennessee), we are doing very well. I would love to share your post on Facebook and am wondering if I could copy a paragraph or two and then include a link so people can read the rest. I’m afraid if I just include the link they won’t bother reading it. Would that be ok?
Oh dear, you’ve had a tough go of it. Yes, of course. Share anything you like. Stay safe! toni
Thanks, Toni, for this post. There is no doubt in my mind that Italians will do well. They survived the ravages of fascists and Nazis, they can deal with this. Take care of yourself and your friends, stay well and safe. Forza Italia!
Please write another blog, or at least a comment, to tell us how things are going. SO much has changed in the US since last comments. We want to know you are ok, and what orvieto is like today. Sending virtual hugs and prayers, Carol and Gary
Hi Carol and Gary. Yes, the day after I wrote this post, we went into a total shutdown of restaurants, bars, stores, etc. Only grocery stores, pharmacies, and essential businesses are open. Today we learned that the lockdown will continue to at least April 15. I go out every three or so days when I need food, but the shelves are full and no one is panic buying. There’s plenty of toilet paper…I talk on the phone more and have heard from old friends from many years ago, so that’s a silver lining. Italy has definitely been hit hard, but people in other countries need to pay attention and isolate, sooner rather than later. We are hoping that soon we will see the trend level out, but unfortunately, that wasn’t today. All I can say is stay safe and stay at home. Best. Toni
So good to hear from you, Toni, and to know you’re ok for now. We are practicing social distancing, and staying home except for a walk most days (away from people) and grocery every few days, during early morning when stores are most empty. When I hear about the #’s, and the shortage of respirators and protective equipment (masks, gowns, gloves), it’s scary, but we’re doing what we can. Hopefully it’s enough! There are definitely silver linings, which I can go into another time, but mostly I pray for this to be over soon, without many more drastic effects, so we can get back to our lives (many of us with renewed priorities for who and what things are most important to us.)