How 4 Women Are Managing Italy's COVID-19 Lockdown

COVID-19 has continued its global spread, with 220,000 cases reported as of yesterday. Italy currently is the center of the pandemic, with 3,045 deaths reported. A mandatory national lockdown has been ongoing since 9 March in order to prevent further spread.

As American cities, and now the entire state of California have ordered their residents to shelter-in-place, I found myself looking to friends in Italy to see what life under lockdown looks like.

I spoke with four women recently about their experiences of the lockdown.  We spoke about their reactions to the Italian government and how they’re coping with their new normal. As the situation in Italy is changing daily, this information is accurate as of the time of posting, but will evolve with time as the disease spread continues to escalate.

Julia, aged 27 living in the center of Rome, relayed to me what Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio told the public: “Our grandfathers were drafted to go to war; we're being asked to stay at home.” As per national decree, all bars and restaurants closed, with only pharmacies, supermarkets, post office and the tobacconists open. Julia reiterated that tobacconists are allowed to be open as they are a point of sale for public transport. 

As for the state of the lockdown, all residents of Italy have been ordered to stay inside, leaving only for groceries, medicines, and for some, work. You must carry special paper documents to specify why you are outside, which obviously poses challenges to immigrants and those experiencing houselessness.

Greta, aged 25 living in Lecco, believes the Italian government is handling the pandemic well. “Sometimes the ordinances are not so clear but I think it’s normal. We must be lenient, we are the first western country to face the emergency.”

Julia agrees that Italy is taking smart action, emphasizing that, “the government is willing to put the people before the economy.” She counters, though, that “the disease is highlighting the flaws of the social care system and government.” 

Paige, age 27, from Urbino, told me that grocery stores are still fully stocked, unlike the food shortages in America and the United Kingdom. There seems to be less panic buying happening, and Italian grocery stores are taking greater precautions for how to keep the public safe. For example, only ten people can enter the store at once, and you must wear rubber gloves and use hand sanitizer when entering.

I asked Paige how her daily life has changed since undergoing self-isolation in early March.  “My daily routine has changed more so for my daughter, who is 2 years old. Normally we go out for a walk or to the park during the day and that is no longer a possibility for us. I have had to try and invent exciting ways to keep her occupied.”

Anna, 25, living in Rome, told me that testing for the virus is not as easy and accessible as one would expect. “Healthcare in Italy is free, so in theory you could walk to a hospital or clinic and get the test done. However, due to the state of emergency that Italy is currently facing tests are only available to those exhibiting symptoms.” 

Anna is a freelance writer, so she is used to working from home, but misses going to the gym and taking daily walks, both of which are no longer allowed. Instead, to pass the time she has undertaken playing guitar again. 

I asked Greta how she is practicing self care. “I’m lucky that I have a big garden, so I can spend much time outdoor taking care of plants and flowers,” she said. Time out of doors and in nature is allowed, so long as it is within your own property and at appropriate social distance. Public walks however, are not allowed. 

Anna offered advice to Boshemia readers living in other countries: “I am concerned and in slight disbelief by the very loose policies adopted by the governments of other countries, who are about to face the same situation that Italy is currently facing. Everyone around the world, living in countries that are already witnessing quite a few cases needs to start undertaking social distancing, whether your government is enforcing it or not.” Until recently, the United Kingdom was not encouraging social distancing, instead suggesting that folks remain occupying public spaces to encourage “herd immunity.” The United Kingdom has been noticeably behind its European neighbors in addressing the COVID-19 crisis.

Meanwhile, the 4 women I interviewed for this article agree that the Italian government seem to be addressing the crisis as best as it can. From Paige: “I think the Italian community as a whole is handling this pandemic extremely well. Every evening at six Italians go to their balconies and sing the national anthem. It has really brought Italy together as one.”  This image of Italy’s residents singing and playing music from their balconies has become a national symbol of hope.

Julia echoed this sense of unity, telling me that people living in Italy have adopted a new motto, appearing on windows and social media: a popular hashtag “andrà tutto bene” — “everything is gonna be alright.” It seems in Italy, there is at least a feeling of collective optimism, even as the pandemic takes a turn for the worse.

Self-isolation and sheltering in place are measures that all major cities should be taking to prevent further spread of COVID-19. The United States and United Kingdom should look to Italy as an example of how to direct its residents to safety.

For live news coverage, please follow the latest from the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and pay close attention to your region’s specific guidelines, as each country currently has different government mandates in place to halt the spread of coronavirus.