Phase 2: Ruffo (Sissa), app is not enough, 'three T' strategy is missing

TRIESTE - In the fight against the coronavirus "I see no sign that Italy is consistently thinking of applying the three-T strategy", that is "test, trace and treat". "They have chosen an app, the government has launched an epidemiological study, which will have an impact on the territories. But that Italy is consistently using this strategy does not seem to me to see it". Said the director of the International School of Advanced Studies (Sissa), Stefano Ruffo, stressing that the mere use of an app to track contacts is not enough.
    If the country wanted to implement this strategy, "it would be necessary to implement much more significant initiatives. According to a calculation, 1,500 people should be hired in Friuli Venezia Giulia, for example. Is it being done?".
    "I am convinced - he added - that this is a possible strategy, however, people should roll up their sleeves more. It is not a criticism I make to the regional government, because it seems to me that even in other regions we are not consistently thinking about this" . But, according to Ruffo, it would also be "dangerous" if at the international level a message was given that Italy is working in this direction.
    As for the app, he concluded, this "helps in identifying asymptomatic contacts, but the practical work, that people have to do, the app does not. The app says if you have come in contact with people symptomatic or non-symptomatic. Then what you do is up to you, not the app. "