Why is a security guard measuring my temperature?

Today I had a new experience. A guard measured my temperature at the entrance of the supermarket. I was nervous. What if I had suddenly developed a fever and would be turned away? I felt a bit like I do when I go through passport and customs control in the U.S. You start to feel guilty for things you know you have not done. Like that salami you don’t have in your suitcase. What is wrong with this picture? Why is a guard from a private security company suddenly authorised to take my temperature? I know it’s for the common good, but I feel my individual rights are slipping away.

 The Italian government has now issued the fourth version of the auto-certification from since the lock-down. I can’t keep track of the changes, also I am wondering about the effectiveness of this form filling-out. My friend Luca tells that in Greece they have devised a much more practical system. You send a text message with your name, address and a code that corresponds to the reason you are leaving the house (like 1 for the doctor, 2 for the supermarket, etc.) Upon receiving your confirmation, you are good to go. Of course, this begs the question of whether this system can be used to track people.

 Numbers are back on the rise tonight. The governor of Lombardy is concerned. Also, the looming question is when/if the south will explode. I now look at these numbers with some skepticism, there is so much discussion about them being skewed, and in which direction (too high, too low, error margins in the testing…) that I wonder how useful it even is to keep track. I’ve stopped obsessing over the nightly bulletin. Of more pressing concern, my inability to find yeast (as mentioned yesterday). I think this Coronavirus crisis could reintroduce barter as a means of payment. I will trade yeast for toilet paper. Anyone ?