Déjà vu after week 1 in an Italian lockdown

A quick post to share my first observations as a westerner in quarantine experiencing a national lockdown for the first time.

Two days ago I went to bed having just listened to Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte tell us in Italy that we are now officially in lockdown. The list of rules of what we can and cannot do is quite lengthy including a ban on socialising, leaving your residence for non necessity situations and maintaining a 1 metre distance among ourselves in public.

The morning after the news I ventured to the Pharmacy and then to the Supermarket to begin to 'stock up' preparing for tougher days. The stores, cafés and restaurants were all closed and the streets were mostly empty. On the way I crossed paths with two pedestrians, both middle age women wearing masks. One of the ladies moved to the other side of the road to avoid our head on encounter.

At the pharmacy, 2 big signs on the doors were displayed notifying customers of the 5-person limit in the store and a reminder to respect the 1 metre of distance among customers and employees. The second sign in big bold letters advised us that masks and disinfectant were OUT OF STOCK. As I entered, an elderly gentlemen with a mask waiting to be served explained to me where I would need to go to buy a mask. Hi explanation went very long and I could tell he was looking for someone to speak with and calm his nerves.

After this experience I went to the supermarket where I waited outside the door in a queue until several customers exited the building making room for those waiting outside. Upon entering, a disinfectant distributor awaits all customers where you are required to disinfect yourself.

Navigating through the isles of the supermarket was another first-time experience as I watched customers clear out of the way and wait at the end of the narrow isles to allow us to pass to ensure the 1 metre distance among ourselves.

Upon finishing my shopping, I made my way to the cashier who was wearing a mask and rubber gloves. She scolded me for getting too close to her and the customer in front of me.

After checking out, I went home and stayed there for the remainder of the day.

Throughout the afternoon and evening, many phone calls were made to relations nearby and skype calls to those far away. In times like these, daily information sharing sessions become the norm.

Change hurts

The experience being under quarantine in its first few days in Italy has brought me a déjà vu feeling bringing me back to 2008 when thanks to the financial crisis, I witnessed my first massive layoff exercise within a multinational company.

Events of such are charactersied by loss, confusion, scare, panic and the unfortunate explosion of the rumour mill due to excessive uncertainty. They are designed to transmit a feeling of guilt among the masses telling us that we are not doing our part for the better good and we need to do better.

In 2008 we questioned the value of our contribution to the company shareholders as a worker. With Covid19, we are the shareholders and we question our value as a global citizen. We ask if we are clean enough in our hygienic rituals or are we a threat to others? Are we responsible enough in our daily consumption habits or are we creating excessive waste? Are we doing all we can do to find the solution? Or are we part of the problem?

All of these are mere side effects of an environment which is undergoing deep and fundamental change and the impacts it has on the stakeholders.

As all major change events, this is something that no matter how many articles or books you read, you will never know and understand completely until you live the experience and feel the intensity first hand. It is the human element which makes experiences like this very unique testing our ability to stay focused during the stressful moments and wise when acting on the information needed which is buried deep within excessive amounts of noise.

Probably of utmost importance, events of such teach us the importance of patience and to wait and then wait some more for the storm to pass.

News of the NBA season cancellation, famous athletes and actors who are infected and the rising death toll are all part of the Coronavirus experience reminding the masses daily that sacrifice is necessary to achieve a positive result and that nobody is immune to the changes that await.

It is time to rolloup our sleaves.

The Coronavirus is merely an agent that is going to bring about changes that have been necessary for many years. Some changes we can expect to see include a reduction in emissions and our carbon footprint as companies will become better equipped to offer work-from-home privileges. With technology where it is, we ask ourselves if there really is a need to get in our cars, drive, park and consume excessively only to sit at a desk and work at a computer. All of this consumption just so that you can pay for the means necessary to allow you to do so again the day after.

Hygene is now at center stage. As South Italy is painfully but sucessfully refraining from its traditions of embracing friends and loved ones each day in the way that only South Italy knows how to do, we see the great need to make ourselves more accountable for cleanliness. Our experience in quarantine in Italy makes us ask questions like why shouldn't there be a mandatory disinfectant policy when entering any public facility? Especially a supermarket. Personally speaking, I hope we will see a complete elimination of physical currency. Aside from the massive opportunities it offers tax evaders, it is a dirty germ carrier. If you don't believe me watch Keva Rosenfield's 1993 film 20 Bucks.

In closing

The 2008 financial crisis served us to pave the way for big changes. It created great opportunities in globalisation and forced the masses to re-evaluate their skill sets and capabilities to contribute to society. Prior to the positive change it brought however there was mass disappointment and uncertainty.

There is no doubt that Covid19 will bring even bigger changes. Let us hope, pray or cross our fingers that the changes coming will be for the better, that the good will of mankind will ensure that we act responsibly and that the discomfort during the transition is not too costly.

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A witty post I saw on Facebook to support the #IoRestoACasa slogan (I stay at home) reminding Italians to stay home states; 'Lets remind ourselves that our grandfathers were ordered to go to war, we are only being asked to stay home on the couch'

#AndraTuttoBene (everything will be alright) - the hashtag where children post their message of optimism through their rainbow

Even the team at Pornhub is doing its part to keep you at home offering free premium services for the entire month of March to Italian clients