Now that we have had a few days to get used to the new normal everything still feels surreal. Protezione Civile continues to urge everyone to stay home and go out for vital reasons only: work, health & food supply. Most companies are encouraging work from home, while bars, restaurants and all places of entertainment remain closed until April third.
Grocery shopping experience is an odd one, too. Everyone has to wait in long lines outside the supermarket standing at least a meter away from the person in front until the shop assistant waves you in. If you venture out to buy food past 5 pm you will most likely find veggie and fruit stands empty. Many people are wearing masks on the streets and there’s a bit of tension in the air.
Walking home, we saw a few dog walkers and some random smokers hanging outside their houses, but for the most part Trieste is deserted.
These days are tough but people around Italy are reviving their patriotic spirit by singing Italian anthem and Celentano’s “Azzuro” from their balconies and clapping at noon from their windows to say thank you to all the medical staff around Italy. It is hard not to clap and tear up a little.
If you are looking for the latest official information in Italy, bookmark this link to the Ministero della Salute, where statics are updated every day at 6 pm CET, by region: http://www.salute.gov.it/nuovocoronavirus
Meanwhile in Trieste bora continues to blow as she usually does, as if nothing has ever happened. Perhaps, she’s trying to tell us to wash our hands and think happy thoughts. Perhaps.
Thank you for the information and encouraging tone. We shall overcome!