I've been really struggling with how to write about the Covid situation here in Milan. I'm not sure if anyone really wants to read more about the pandemic, and more importantly, I don't feel like the best source of information either. Because of the language barrier and how little I actually get out into the city (especially now during lockdown-light), I'm not out talking to people and getting a good sense of what's happening as much as I'd like. Even though I’m not out reporting, too avoid writing about it seems pretty detached.
So whatever I write here about the situation in Italy is just my sense of what's going on and what I've tied together with the little string I've gathered. Take it with a grain of salt.
First off, my family and I are safe. A lot of friends have checked in over the last few weeks wondering how we’re doing. For now, we’re all healthy. Our days mostly consist of taking my son to the park in the morning and then working in the afternoons into the night (We’re still operating on New York hours). Everyday with everything going on, I’m thankful we’re all healthy.
Milan is for the most part shut down. Cafes, bars, and non-essential shops are closed, but that doesn’t mean they all are. We haven’t really left our neighborhood (we’re not supposed to under lockdown measures), but there are plenty of shops open (toy stores and cafes are still open for take-out service). In general, people here object to lockdown measures. A few weeks ago I got my haircut and the glass window of the barbershop was cracked. The barber attributed the damage to an anti-lockdown protest.
The half measures of keeping restaurants open certain hours and allowing offices to be open didn’t stem the infection rates, so I think a stricter lockdown is on the horizon. I don’t want it, but what else can be done?
The frequency of ambulance sirens is increasing as well. I wouldn't call it a constant chorus, but it’s a frequent reminder of a worsening situation. This is unsettling.
Overall people seem resigned to whatever happens. Maybe it’s because everyone has been through this before, or maybe it’s just part of the personality of the Milanese. I don’t know.
Luckily for me, I have an infant son who is wildly entertaining and a supreme source of joy. It’s stressful to take care of him and work a full-time job, but the pleasure we receive from him every day far outweighs that and really keeps me on the level during these crazy days. Maybe other parents out there know what I’m talking about. Luckily we don’t do Zoom school though. That sounds scary.
Hang in there,
John