Italian Quarantine Chronicles (Volume II) November 19th, 2020:
Things relaxed over the summer. Bars, cafes, even some restaurants opened again....although they were "reservation only." Take out and delivery were offered everywhere. Some of the establishments, like the gelato store, stopped taking pre-orders and opened their doors again. Every place had a clearly marked "ENTRY" and "EXIT." They had tape on the floors to keep people away from the counters. They marked spots, with a picture, or an "X"...anything...to show where people could stand and still maintain distance.
Some paid attention. Others didn't and marched confidently through "Uscita" signs...took up space in between marked spots...and the kids. Oh, the kids. Groups of four, five, even ten or more...all together, masks hanging around their necks or from their wrists...because they are invincible.
There were no "protests" here, thank goodness. although there were in other parts of Italy. Even the "Milani" who come here part time and have the apartment upstairs, blithely walked in and out with masks down, even though Milan was the epicenter of the virus from day one in Italy.
And then the schools were opened. They bent over backwards to find venues for classrooms, they sent in teams to disinfect....and space the desks. Rather than spending the funds to supply everyone with a PC or tablet so they could take classes online.
Here we are again.
Out of caution, because we are older, because we have several risk factors between us, we have been in virtual quarantine non-stop. We visited Cafe Belvedere twice. Cafe Corso twice or three times...outside. One day we stopped at Cafe Malu. We had take out from Cretarola and Pin Up. My husband, for the most part, remained the designated shopper. I would go out on solitary jaunts once in a while.
We took walks on Sundays when everything was closed. I would feed the outside cats, with a mask on, in my cortile, during "pranzo" when no one was likely to be around.
The doctors and the scientists predicted this months ago. They knew this was going to happen, yet governments around the world took a chance. Vacations! Business! School! What? I can't eat out? What? I can't have a big birthday party?
I understand people's concerns, especially when it comes to their livelihood...but...you can't work if you die.
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I had to walk up to the farmacia again this evening. Stupid me, I forgot my phone....it was such a lovely evening. A chill in the air, but at 4:45 pm, the sun was setting and the town was bathed in that distinctive Italian glow...while lights inside homes and any place that might be open burned from within.
Cafe Corso, on my way, looked festive in the evening light, although now they have a "counter" at the entry door...da sporto solo - take out only. At the door.
The housewares store, photographer and gift shop were dark. The shoe store was open, but no one was there. Even Cafe Centrale, the 24 hour chi-chi...preferred by the young crowd..bar/cafe was dark.
The streets were primarily empty. I had no wait at the farmacia.
This picture is from the first quarantine. I don't know...maybe it didn't have to be this way. If people had just sucked it up a bit more even though it was summer...even though the kids wanted to get together...even though.....because here we are again...with winter approaching.
I downloaded four books yesterday. We have several Netflix series and movies lined up...my "designated shopper" hit the supermarket today and stocked us up for the next two to three weeks. Being an American, I am used to that...it is how we lived, especially with gruelling work schedules. I plan meals out...and stuff the freezer and fridge so it looks like a damned Rubic cube when I'm done.
Being an introvert I don't have a huge problem with this....there are things I would like to do, places I would like to go, people I enjoy seeing....but being aware of the greater danger...I set my priorities. And I remind myself I never dreamt I would live in Italy....there were decades I never dreamt I would ever make it to Europe....so I remind myself to be grateful every day for where I am and what we have.
Intrepid shopper did a splendid job this time...he brought home Twinings English Breakfast tea for me...and perfect chicken breasts for what we will call "Thanksgiving" but is really an excuse to open a big bottle of prosecco.
And so we hunker down once again...and worry each time one of us goes out the door, and worry for friends and relatives.....but we are determined to get through this.
As a kid on Long Island....no one ever travelled to Europe. People barely even took what everyone calls a "vacation" now...vacation was no school, or home from work. A barbecue in the backyard. If you were lucky you had a friend or two with a pool. A movie, maybe, on a really hot day. On Long Island, once I was old enough to drive, we also had the beach....which, come to think of it, we do here, also. THAT was "vacation." Stay up late and watch Johnny Carson. Have pizza for dinner.
We have everything to be thankful for....a roof over our heads, affordable health care, stupendous local, natural food...six little clown kitties...my sweet Harry still hanging on.... we might get a dusting of snow this weekend...we are warm and cozy inside...we have clothes, entertainment...beautiful views...friendly neighbors...look around you....be safe, be smart....and be grateful. This is an emergency and we must persevere.
