“You have to find a plan for save Christmas". It might seem like the plot of a Christmas-themed movie, one of those that go on TV during the holidays, but it is the reality. To utter this sentence in recent weeks are virologists, opinion leaders, but above all members of the government. That the Christmas it will not be the same as in the recent past was to be expected. The much feared second wave of the Covid pandemic 19 it has now arrived and the government is launching new measures to avoid the worst. Despite the recent division of Italy into three zones (yellow, orange and red), many doctors are demanding that the restrictions be tougher, actually speaking of a new one national lockdown. However, this does not seem to be (at the moment) in Conte's plans, which he would like to find a solution for loosen Covid-19 restrictions at Christmas.
Christmas is an essential holiday for many, to be spent strictly with the family. For this reason the criticisms of the words of Sandra Zampa, Undersecretary of Health, who, in an interview with the press a few days ago, hypothesized a "Lonely Christmas”, Or to be passed only with first degree relatives, brothers and sisters. After cancellation of Christmas markets throughout Italy, this could be the "coup de grace" to permanently turn off the lights of Christmas 2020. Of course, this is a scenario that many Italians cannot even conceive of. However, if you think that we are facing a pandemic that has returned stronger than before, the arrival of these measures cannot be excluded.
Covid-19 restrictions at Christmas: the idea of easing
The government's plan to loosen Covid-19 restrictions at Christmas depends a lot on how loyal Italians will be to respect the rules. They are missing about 40 days at Christmas and just under 20 at the end of thecurrent DPCM (on December 3). If theRT index should attest around the1% (or even less), it would still be possible save the Christmas holidays. This would mean allowing, at least temporarily, movements between regions, postponing the curfew beyond 22pm, allow restaurateurs to be able to open even in the evening and schedule limited number of masses. The number of diners (not living together) at lunches and dinners should get stuck at 6. Of course this could change from region to region, whether yellow, orange or red.
The alt of the experts to a Christmas with more freedom
Opinions on this possibility are still conflicting. If on the one hand there are plans to loosen Covid-19 restrictions at Christmas to save holidays and the economy, on the other hand this could prove to be counterproductive. As explained by the president of the Superior Health Council, Franco Locatelli, during the recent press conference of the control room on the analysis of regional monitoring data and on the epidemiological situation: "thinking of returning to old habits for Christmas, giving rise to traditional celebrations, could frustrate all the efforts made to date. For this reason, all the measures adopted up to now must be maintained". More drastic it is Andrew Crisanti, professor of Microbiology at the University of Padua, who proposes a second lockdown. In an interview with Repubblica, the virologist proposed to "take advantage of the end of year holidays to close everything for 2 weeks and stop the infection".
What will Conte's decisions be? Most Italians hope for the "Christmas miracle", But unfortunately Covid-19 is known to offer no discounts to anyone, not even during the holidays. So let's get ready to spend some holidays probably away from relatives and friends, knowing however what this means protect them and ourselves from the dangers of a virus that has accompanied us throughout 2020. The hope is that of the arrival of a Vaccine, now near, which can lead us to a gradual return to life as always, now suspended for months.
