Different Perspectives on the Pandemic part 4

written by 0817 Jeong Daeun

In part four of this five-part series, the Opinion section of the PRESS took an investigated look at how Italy response to the pandemic became one of the largest closures in history and the reopening of their schools.

Italy

Italy is known to have a very high mortality rate as well as confirmed cases for COVID-19. Italy has a whopping 12.6 fatality rate compared to China’s 5.4.

How is Italy coping with COVID-19?

On March 8^th,  Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte expanded quarantine in all parts of Lombardia and northern Italy. The prime minister also extended quarantine inspections to all parts of Italy the next day. The movement of more than 60 million people was limited. This quarantine is one of the largest closures in human history.

Premier Conte ordered the suspension of almost all commercial activities except for supermarkets and pharmacies on March 11t^h to stop people from spreading COVID-19.

The Italian government reaffirmed its plan to reopen schools on September 14th. Schools were shut down six months ago to stop the spread of COVID-19. Premier Conte made it clear that the recent spread of COVID-19 in Italy has been steep again. The recent series of infections in schools caused raising concerns among parents.  However, Premier Conte stated, “There will be no delay in the start of school.”

 

My Opinion

At first, I thought it was excellent to stop all the commercial activities and people in Italy from going out. However, with the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases still increasing 1,000 a day, the question about Italy starting school made me think that it is dangerous for Italians. 

If school starts, students will stay in the same place, then the virus will spread quickly. If one student is infected, many students could be infected, causing them to become sick or die.  No matter how much you control, it will be difficult to make a large number of students follow social-distancing rules. Then the COVID-19 could spread more quickly if they don’t follow the rules, so we need to question whether Italy’s opening of schools is the right move.