By Esmeralda da Conceicao, BA ’96 Fine Arts, Co-op
The worst thing for me was the news coverage. Initially announcements by foreign governments was covered first, and many internationals living in Italy were receiving information from their home country before Italian authorities officially made their announcements. The first decree was also too vague. The statement said simply that you can go out for work, grocery shopping, and for health reasons – with social distancing of one meter.
However, many questions were raised about the restrictions: What kind of workplaces were allowed to be open, was going out to exercise okay as a health reason, and is one-meter social distance only for adults? As each week of the lockdown progressed, further restrictions were imposed.
Parks were closed, we could no longer go for a walk or jog, we were only allowed to go to food shops within 200 meters from our home.
Very quickly, the streets became deserted. The security around the train station increased with many more police and soldiers patrolling. On weekends, you can occasionally hear helicopters flying around monitoring movements. Despite the severity, people also started to unite as a country. In the third week, the majority of Italians complied with the regulations. Panic shopping lasted only a day or so, and there has been no shortage of food. Most people have adapted to do a bigger shopping once a week. You see people taking their dogs for a walk.
Although, the city isn’t the same, you still see a bit of liveliness, particularly near the groceries store. I noticed students offering their services to help out those who can’t go do their shopping or walk their pets. Every so often there is a public display of solidarity, like clapping at noon. Recently on April 25, the country celebrated Liberation Day on the balconies, singing Bella Ciao at 3:00 pm.
It’s now April 30 and day 46 of the lockdown. On May 4, Italy is starting a gradual reopening. People will be allowed to visit their immediate relatives in the same region, small funerals can be held, manufacturing and construction can restart and there will be a fixed price set for masks.
Since the full lockdown, life has been completely altered, and all are waiting patiently for further easing of restrictions.
Before everything changed
Normally, Bologna is a very active, lively Italian city. It has the oldest western university, combined with the lifestyle of a walking city; the vibe of the center is often lively throughout the day. In the morning, a common practice is to hit an Italian bar for breakfast. Don’t confuse it with the English bar. Just about every block of the city has at least one bar where you grab a coffee and a pastry in the morning and revisit at least one other time for a coffee break. Each one has their regulars and between the hours of 7:30 to 9:00 am, it’s bustling with people greeting each other, having a quick chat with others, and wishing each other a good day.
As a typical Italian city, large supermarkets are not commonly found in the center where I live. Instead, the business of food is spread among specific shops. Buying groceries means visiting the bakery, the butcher, the produce shop, the cheese shop, the fishmonger – and let’s not forget the wine store and the chocolate shops.
In the evenings, it is common practice to have an aperitivo, a drinks and snack time before dinner. The city square regularly has buskers, either musicians or performers of some kind. Italians like to have a walk after dinner. It happens often during the weekend, but as Bologna is a university city, chitchatting and hanging out happens every evening.
Needless to say, being out and about was how life was before the pandemic. Although strange, life continues on.
Keeping perspective
Unlike the media portrayal of Italians on the balcony singing together, my neighbourhood has been mostly silent. So quiet that just one slight noise can now be heard like a trumpet, as it echoes through the empty porticos.
I am part of the minority here, a single person living on her own with no family. My coping mechanism is not so much a coping mechanism but the understanding that this situation, whether I like it or not, exists. Staying aware of my feelings and thoughts before acting has been wonderful. It’s okay to cry and feel worried -- it’s natural, and the key is to allow the emotions but don’t be consumed by them.
Having experienced first-hand with SARs when I lived in Taipei, Taiwan, I know the first thing is to stay calm. Then inform myself with factual information and staying away from media coverage that speculates and sensationalizes. It is vital to not get roped into those sensations. Limiting those kinds of messages helps in maintaining perspective.
I am fortunate that I have friends all over the world. After my time in Nairobi, Kenya, I have made many friends in the humanitarian and development sector with health programs experience. Their work with populations dealing with contagious illnesses like cholera, tuberculosis, malaria, and Ebola is extensive. Hearing my friends speak about their experiences and their wealth of knowledge, allows me to see the situation differently.
Another wonderful way to live is to be grateful. Being mindful of what I have instead of focusing on what I don’t have means you can live each day feeling light. After all, it is not like bombs are going off all around us with radiation and collapsing buildings or gunshots fired at us constantly, or raging rabid dogs roaming the streets. I personally feel I have a lot in comparison to those who have lived through a war, famine, and other natural disasters.
This opportunity has given us a much-needed pause to re-evaluate what it means to be human, to question structures and be informed, and hopefully build a different version of what life used to be.
I have always been a reflective person, but this situation gave me further opportunity to work on areas that sat on the backburner. I have developed more awareness and being mindful of my thoughts and blessings. Through technology, I was never alone and still am not. I am always a click away from a familiar voice. I have taken the opportunity to spend time on personal growth and development. My morning routine has changed and has made me feel healthier, something that will continue after the lockdown.
The Italian lockdown experience is different than in other countries. Very early it was strict and applied across the country. The sense of freedom was taken away and there was no choice but to look ourselves in the eye. My thoughts are not going back to the life that was before, but rather to build one that is more authentic to me.
Photos courtesy of Esmeralda da Conceicao.