Buongiorno Milano
Lombardy is the Italian region hit hardest by the Covid-19 epidemic. It is also one of the richest states in the country. Its citizens are known for having a a superiority complex versus the rest of Italy. So, it is with some Schadenfreude that the country now looks at Lombardy, wondering what went wrong for so many more people here to die, especially when its neighbouring state of Veneto (also a wealthy region) managed the crisis so well. Most newspaper articles point the finger at a health system that has been partially privatised under the right-leaning Lega party (Silvio Berlusconi’s party - yes, that decrepit man is always lurking somewhere) and where hospital beds were seriously reduced over the last decades for the sake of economic profit. And let’s not talk about what went on, and what is still happening in the geriatric homes, where many patients were left to die. Unfortunately, I think this may be a global phenomenon.
It must be particularly hard for the Lombardia ego that the Cotugno hospital in Naples (yes that chaotic, Camorra infested city of the South) has been lauded worldwide as one of the hospitals which responded to the crisis best. For one, none of the doctors there were infected. The hospital has proper personal protective equipment for their staff and an iron-clad protocol for dealing with infectious diseases, which it specializes in. While I don’t delight in Lombardy’s failure at all, it does please me that for once Italian stereotypes don’t apply.
The governor of Lombardy (also from the Lega party, FYI) has begun an aggressive campaign to push to reopen on May 4th. To accompany his push, he has formulated a strategy of “four Ds”: Distance (as in safety/social distance), Devices (as in Safety Equipment), Digitalisation (all workers who can work remotely must continue to do so) and Diagnosis (as in testing). Sounds very clear, but where are the actions that accompany the strategy? With two weeks to go, cute words can’t really camouflage the lack of a game plan. Beppe Sala, the mayor of Milan made the same point in his daily video yesterday. How are we going to ensure proper distance on public transport? Who is going to supply the protective gear? When will a broader testing initiative be rolled out? It doesn’t sound like we are ready.
By the way, I think we should add Beppe to the list of politicians one might have a little crush on. Today he said something I really liked in his daily “Buongiorno Milano” video: The city of Milan is looking at purchasing a fleet of electric bikes to help manage the commute and keep people from crowding public transport. Now this sounds like progress. Not just for the Covid-19 crisis, but for managing transportation and emissions in general. One thing I am not looking forward to at all: Smog. The air is so deliciously clean now, it makes me almost giddy.