Brian Cohn
03/10/2020 - 15:09
- Clarín.com
- Society
Concerned about the lack of work and some academic frustrations, Leonel Scasserra is one of many Argentines who wanted to try their luck in Europe. Born in Almagro 33 years ago, this punk rock fan and Boca fan settled in Turin, northern Italy, in September 2017. He chose the peninsular country because his paternal grandparents were Italian and he had citizenship.
With family support and without the pressures of the environment, Leonel began the career of Transportation Design at the Institute of Applied Art and Design (IAAD) of that city. But for two weeks he has not attended and practically does not leave his house. The routine changed. His and the district's. Also the one of the country, after in the last hours the Italian Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, hardened the quarantine by the coronavirus and decreed the "red zone" in the whole territory .
The extension of prevention measures, the cessation of activities and widespread panic result in empty streets, "holiday routines" and an exhausting and distressing isolation. Leonel plays the guitar, watches series on the computer, advances his thesis and some practical work. Not much more. Eat and sleep. The department of the Aurora neighborhood that he rents became quieter after his three faculty members returned to their cities (Rimini and L'Aquila) in the middle of the epidemic.
"Where I live and in almost all of the north of the country two weeks ago, prevention measures were taken, such as suspension of classes, closing of museums, cinemas ... Unfortunately, these measures were not respected by the majority, who continued to leave and making life as if nothing, "he explains, from his room, in dialogue with Clarín .
Playing the guitar, one of his favorite hobbies.
"Exactly two weeks ago, on Monday, February 25 in the morning, there was talk of just over 50 cases and two dead. Today the cases multiplied exponentially. We had to stay at home, people did not accompany the measure and today we have this, "he laments. According to official figures, there are already 10,149 confirmed cases and 631 deaths throughout the country.
Leonel speaks of certain "revivals" of the population that cost dearly: "On Saturday night it was decreed that the Lombardy region was closed (no one entered or left), but as of Sunday morning people escaped, and it was those 'fans' that led to this. "
Thus, on Monday the Government extended the isolation standards, which hitherto affected the region of Lombardy and 14 provinces -more than 16 million inhabitants-, throughout the country to stop the advance of COVID-19 . The bans reach schools and universities across Italy, which closed their doors until April 3. It also affects transfers: only those who respond to "duly verified professional imperatives and emergency situations, for health reasons" are authorized.
"Let's say that at the national level the thing changed in this last week. Before it was a regional measure. Since then I am in my house and I go out only when it is necessary, if I have to do a procedure or go to the supermarket, although today I have procedures, it is almost all closed, "adds Scasserra.
Going to the supermarket to buy food or have a drink in a bar became an operating complex: "One can go to the supermarket, but you will find that they put a maximum capacity of customers at the same time so that we have a minimum of one meter away from the others, so long lines are formed in the street and we enter the premises as others leave. "
Long lines to enter the supermarket, in order to respect the new restrictions.
"Also bars and restaurants have to guarantee this if they want to remain open within the 6 to 18 hour slot, but it is also convenient not to go," he says. And he explains with an example: " If the bar sets a limit of 10 people, you have to wait outside queuing (keeping the distance of one meter) to get in. One comes out, one enters ."
In the middle of the isolation and the fear to the shortage of gondolas, Scasserra assures that he found scenes of a war: "Two weeks ago, when everything started, people ran out to the supermarket and razed it. There were people who were going to buy with the big suitcase. The same thing happened last night in other regions. The news came at 22 and people went to Carrefour open 24 hours a day to shop. And they found that they couldn't go in all together. "
"I make purchases girls because I have no way to make a very large purchase. I have no car. Then I buy as for the week. Maybe if I have to replace something I get away and I replenish," he says.
Sporadic and brief, his outings were limited to a matter of survival. Leonel says that he could go to the square for a walk or play the guitar, but ... it is not what is convenient: "Actually it is said that there is no problem, but yesterday the president of the Piemonte region ( Alberto Cirio, who by the way has the virus ) asked through a video that we should not leave home except for work reasons, of extreme urgency and / or need. "
The Milan subway postcard in ... rush hour?
What changed from your routine? "Mainly the schedules. I sleep late, I stay up late and go out little, although now the institute warned us that it will give virtual classes to avoid losing content," he explains in a relaxed tone.
It is that with respect to the coronavirus itself Leonel shows no signs of concern: "What is really worrying is the high and easy contagion that it has, which puts all the sanitary infrastructure in Italy at risk. Italy is not China. Here you are not built hospital for a thousand patients in a week . There are areas where hospital capacity is on the verge of collapse. Today Turin receives patients from Lombardy as well. "
Meanwhile, the authorities intensify controls at train stations, restrict mass shows and prohibit demonstrations, on their first day as a "protected area . "
Anyway, Scassera is optimistic: "Everything will depend on the responsibility of the people. There is a lot of meme going around asking them to stay in their homes. If so, then I suppose that from here to a month the situation will be returning to normal. " In short, everything will depend on the spread of recommendations and care end up beating the virus itself.