In a time that seems so extraordinary, we open a window on the tenacious normality of those who continue to make the country work. Voices of those who work every day, leaving home and loved ones - only to return (if and when they are allowed to do so) with the doubt of harming them. Small stories of an even more difficult quarantine, precisely because it is permeable.
I'm Ilaria and I live in Palazzolo Acreide, in the province of Syracuse.
I have been married to Carmelo for seven years. He is a geologist and works as a freelancer.
Since the emergency phase for Covid-19 began, he has been working from home, in smart working. And then she takes care of our two children, five-year-old Matteo and one-year-old Gioele.
But I am not at home. I am a nurse and I work every day in the hospital.
For fourteen years this has been my life, demanding shifts and far from my loved ones. But I studied to be a nurse and I think that in my life I didn't want to do anything else.
Because that's what I like to do: take care of others.
After all, my life hasn't changed since the emergency began. I keep doing what I've always done. I also work at the Maternal and Child Department and every day I assist mothers who are expecting to give birth.
An emotion but also a great fear for these women who unfortunately find themselves living an important moment of their life alone, due to the restrictions imposed on hospitals for safety reasons.
But this is precisely a sign of hope. Those newborn babies are a symbol of courage, an invitation to go on despite everything. A unique emotion that gives you strength.
This 2020 is testing us. We will come out changed, both those who stay at home and have been forced to change their habits, and those who live every day on the road, engaged in a difficult job.
I am thirty-six years old. There have been so many bad moments in my life.
The most beautiful undoubtedly the birth of my two children. They helped me get through those others, the ones I don't feel like talking about.
I know little of what awaits us tomorrow. But I know a few things today.
Today I know that I am afraid every day of going home. Being so exposed, like other people working in my industry, I fear I may get the virus, even if we use every necessary protection.
I am convinced, however, that I am not afraid to continue. Keep doing my job.
This emergency did not affect the passion for what I do, the will that pushes me every day to reach the hospital and to put myself at the service.
To me, to my family, to everyone I wish to remain united. Only in this way will we be able to part with this bad period.
