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In Italy, they are slowly loosening the rules introduced due to the coronavirus epidemic, but the Roman government is indebted to explaining exactly to the people what their plan is, for example, why they are allowed to open bookstores while the church service limits.
The Italian government can pat its own shoulder to show how to close a country with a democratic political system. This was done so that almost two months after the quarantine was ordered, the politicians still did not tell us on what considerations they would take concrete measures, writes the publicist Ferdinando Giugliano in an article in Bloombergen. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced that certain restrictions would be lifted, but it was unclear on what basis they would choose between abandonable and sustainable rules.
Manufacturing and construction could restart as of May 4, and people will be able to visit their relatives as long as they live in the same region as them. However, stores will be closed for another two weeks and restaurants and bars will only reopen in June. The Italians will still have to prove if the police stop them that they have good reason to leave their home. They cannot travel between regions unless they are forced to cross the border because of their jobs, and the schools will only reopen in September.
What’s the plan
According to a Bloomberg article writer, this all sounds good, but what is missing is that Conte did not come up with a coherent plan for how the government plans to restore life. Italy has successfully slowed the spread of the epidemic, with the infection transmission rate, which shows how many others can transmit the virus, dropping below 0.5 to 0.5-0.7. Limit 1 separates sporadic infection from slow spread. The pressure on hospitals has decreased: the number of people in intensive care, for example, has halved compared to the peak. However, the government would apparently be cautious in letting go of austerity.
The only problem is that without clear communication, the country’s leadership could lose public trust. For example, it is not clear that while most stores are closed, bookstores may open. The museums will also be open from May 18, but religious services, except funerals, have not been allowed. This gives the government the appearance of being biased towards certain sectors. Conte did not tell society what the government’s next step was to deal with the health crisis. For example, they are developing a mobile app that would help keep infections under control, but they didn’t say a word about it.
Popular, but for how long?
Conte, like most world leaders, grew in popularity during crisis management. His biggest opponent, Matteo Salvini, the leader of the radical right-wing League, has deteriorated in popularity, and he may be seriously concerned that the epidemic has further affected the league’s citadel, Lombardy. At the same time, the government’s vague communication tests the patience of the people: the union is not satisfied with the reopening schedule and even the Catholic Church is rebelling. The latter objects to restrictions on the freedom to practice religion, which may compel the government to back down.
It must be recognized that finding a balance between people’s security and the interests of the economy is a problem in all countries. Scientists cannot help governments much because a pandemic of this magnitude is also new to them. At the same time, democratic governments must be transparent, recalls a Bloomberg publicist. Prime ministers from all countries in the world should watch the video again, as Chancellor Angela Merkel explained to the public why her government’s primary goal is to keep the virus infection rate below the critical multiplier of 1.
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