These past weeks I felt a little bit like Cassandra, daughter of the King of Troy, Priam, condemned to never be believed. I kept telling my USA friends to cancel their trips, and starting to plan to stay home. This virus would get there too. And fast! I always added. 

But even in my worst-case scenario I did not expect things to be this bad. I tried to keep positive, but it is becoming more and more difficult because this is nothing less than a catastrophe.

Bergamo

Lovely city northeast of Milan, that was high in my travel list, with its upper district, called Città Alta, cobblestone streets, encircled by Venetian walls. It has been ferociously hit by the contagion. The numbers are scaring: 

On Sunday 8th and Monday 9th March, there were 44 dead. Then the week took a really dramatic turn in crescendo: Tuesday 31 deaths, Wednesday 44, Thursday 43, Friday 50, Saturday 35 deaths occurred. The deceased on Sunday 15 and Monday 16 March amount to 83.

As from one week to the next, from 44 to 83 died, there is little to explain. This virus now no longer affects only the elderly or people with certain pathologies, it reaps victims even among much younger people.

Europe

Starting at 12 today, Europe is closed to the world. For 30 days, no one will be able to enter Schengen countries, except returning European citizens, diplomats, soldiers, and researchers. An unprecedented decision.

In Spain too the numbers are scaring, the total number of infected jumped suddenly to over 11K. 

Being Positive

Well, it is getting difficult. I am a positive and rather optimistic person, but this is very testing. I just wondered today when will it be over, and then how dramatically will Italy be affected? 

I made a little video of the photos of Italy I took last year and added the most famous piece by Andrea Boccelli because it never fails to cheer me up.

Well, not this time though. 

Now more than ever we need to think  

#AndráTuttoBene

#EverythingWillBeAlright