In order to walk or drive anywhere even to go shopping, we need to fill out a form to take with us stating who we are, where we live and why we have left the relative safety of our own home to venture out. If the police stop us and we don’t have this form or there are more than two adults in the car (one in the front and one in the back), we will be fined. The only valid reasons are to pick up health or food supplies, to go to the hospital (in which case you need a doctor’s authorization) or for essential business. This is Italy in lock-down.
This Italian poem (attributed to different authors) that I’ve translated into English resonated with me when I first read it two days ago. Now it seems almost dated; that’s how fast things are changing here. You all who are still free to choose, I hope you will be moved to act responsibly.
Let’s learn to understand that this is a struggle against our own habits and not against a virus.
This is an opportunity to transform an emergency into a challenge of solidarity.
Let’s change the world to see and to think. It’s no longer “I am afraid of the contagion” or even “I don’t give a **** about the contagion,” but it’s
I can protect THE OTHER.
I care about you.
I’ll keep my distance for you.
I’ll wash my hands for you.
I’ll cancel that trip for you.
I won’t go to that concert for you.
I won’t go to the mall for you.
For you.
For you who are in intensive care.
For you who are old and fragile whose life is as valuable as mine.
For you who are struggling with cancer and can’t also struggle with this.
Please raise your sights higher.
I hope that solidarity won’t stop [in Italy].
Nothing else is important.
NB The Italian word ‘solidarieta’ is used in several different contexts including joint responsibility and show of support.
Olivia's Journal 