Week 32 starts in Italy, where COVID reaches into Ellie's life

 Edited BY


G P Kennedy


Ellie - Milan, Italy


Last week was punctuated by the suspense of the American presidential election. Congratulations, USA, on your new president-elect! And of course, also amazing vice president-elect. Please know that the tense moment of expectation and the celebrations, as well as the numerous discussions and debates, were happening in Italy as well, just as around the globe, I am sure.

Thank you for making a wise choice for everyone else who can't vote in American elections but is affected by the policies. In Italy, instead, November 4 is Day of Unity, also known as Armistice Day, which you might recognize as Veteran's Day. Besides the usual public decor, the day wasn't celebrated much publicly. What with the new lockdown and worries!




Yes, we are currently in a second wave, as well as a newly instituted lockdown, which is not as drastic as the first one but is actually less hopeful. We now know what the pitfalls are, but are dispirited by denialism of the pandemic that yes, unfortunately, have penetrated Italy as well. 







The new normal stipulates several conditions that may not make sense in terms of the pandemic, but can only be understood as being more practical. For example, elementary schools are currently open - with a lot of restrictions and rules, as seen on the picture of a school entrance - but high schools are distance learning only. This defies any logic since young children are precisely the ones who cannot social distance and be trusted to wear a mask properly. But they are also the ones who can't take care of themselves at home while parents are at work. That's the kind of logic that works elsewhere, too.





For example, if one lives in the red zone, restaurants and coffee shops are closed to prevent spreading infection, but public transportation, arguably more densely populated, is not. This has created resentment in different industries and individuals, fostering the above-mentioned denialism as a protective mechanism.










As for me, I mentioned that health news is forthcoming, and here is the update. I am kinda sure that I am living through a second covid infection. No, I haven't had a swab test because here they are administered only if you have at least three symptoms. Mine is a light case. However, I feel the effects through signs that are more difficult to measure through medical testing:  no fever of cough, but yes sleepiness and extreme fatigue, for example. Since I will be staying home anyway and so will not infect others, it seems that public authorities think I should be fine. So count me among the uncounted numbers of contagion. I feel fine now, but wondering what other invisible impacts this has had on me. I'll only get to learn in the future.



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