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Comic Insults Aside, Mayors Act as Sentinels in Italy’s Coronavirus Tragedy Comic Insults Aside, Mayors Act as Sentinels in Italy’s Coronavirus Tragedy
(3 days later)
ROME — In a sort of coronavirus edition of “Undercover Boss,” the mayor of the northern Italian town of Asti this past week surreptitiously inspected supermarkets for the illegal sale of inessential products.ROME — In a sort of coronavirus edition of “Undercover Boss,” the mayor of the northern Italian town of Asti this past week surreptitiously inspected supermarkets for the illegal sale of inessential products.
“Naturally, I have to go in disguise,” Mayor Maurizio Rasero said in a Facebook video. “So gone with the glasses, gone with the beard.” Reappearing un-monocled and clean-shaven, he put on a baseball cap and a mask, naturally. “Here we go.”“Naturally, I have to go in disguise,” Mayor Maurizio Rasero said in a Facebook video. “So gone with the glasses, gone with the beard.” Reappearing un-monocled and clean-shaven, he put on a baseball cap and a mask, naturally. “Here we go.”
The incognito mission was just the latest tactic Italian mayors have employed to get unruly residents to obey lockdown measures as Italy became a center of the global epidemic.The incognito mission was just the latest tactic Italian mayors have employed to get unruly residents to obey lockdown measures as Italy became a center of the global epidemic.
They have launched insult-armed drones. They have personally confronted scofflaws on the streets. They have mocked women for getting their hair done because no one would see them in their closed caskets. They have asked all their dog-walking citizens if their pets had prostate problems.They have launched insult-armed drones. They have personally confronted scofflaws on the streets. They have mocked women for getting their hair done because no one would see them in their closed caskets. They have asked all their dog-walking citizens if their pets had prostate problems.
The R-rated rebukes were part public-service announcement, part performance art, part self-promotion campaign. But the mayors say they also worked.The R-rated rebukes were part public-service announcement, part performance art, part self-promotion campaign. But the mayors say they also worked.
“We needed to send a clear message, with slightly brutal language,” said Vincenzo De Luca, the president of Campania and the former mayor of Salerno, who threatened to use a blowtorch to break up a graduation party. “We brought people back to reality.”“We needed to send a clear message, with slightly brutal language,” said Vincenzo De Luca, the president of Campania and the former mayor of Salerno, who threatened to use a blowtorch to break up a graduation party. “We brought people back to reality.”
Those profanity-infused admonitions, packaged on YouTube as municipal diss track compilations, went viral. But the mayors have played a serious role confronting Italy’s tragedy. As the country plans to begin reopening up on May 4, they say they will be critical to getting people to follow the rules as life is reorganized to avoid crowding and renewed contagions.Those profanity-infused admonitions, packaged on YouTube as municipal diss track compilations, went viral. But the mayors have played a serious role confronting Italy’s tragedy. As the country plans to begin reopening up on May 4, they say they will be critical to getting people to follow the rules as life is reorganized to avoid crowding and renewed contagions.
The role of mayors “will be even more important,” said Antonio Decaro, the mayor of the southern Italian city of Bari and the president of the national association of mayors. He said that throughout the crisis, mayors had done the concrete work of making sure that the poor got fed, that the quarantined got their garbage taken out, that children left abandoned by hospitalized parents were looked after. Above all, he said, they raised the alarm.The role of mayors “will be even more important,” said Antonio Decaro, the mayor of the southern Italian city of Bari and the president of the national association of mayors. He said that throughout the crisis, mayors had done the concrete work of making sure that the poor got fed, that the quarantined got their garbage taken out, that children left abandoned by hospitalized parents were looked after. Above all, he said, they raised the alarm.
“We became spokesmen for the threat,” Mr. Decaro said, adding that on his own Facebook page, he had interviewed the mayor of the hard-hit northern city of Bergamo to hammer home the danger. Unfortunately, he added, the loss of family members and friends spread the message even more effectively.“We became spokesmen for the threat,” Mr. Decaro said, adding that on his own Facebook page, he had interviewed the mayor of the hard-hit northern city of Bergamo to hammer home the danger. Unfortunately, he added, the loss of family members and friends spread the message even more effectively.
But Mr. Decaro said it was a decision to relinquish power that proved most decisive.But Mr. Decaro said it was a decision to relinquish power that proved most decisive.
Early in the crisis, Mr. Decaro said, he went to Italy’s prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, and, with the hopes of avoiding 8,000 mayors with 8,000 different policies, asked him to strip the nation’s mayors of the authority they had over local health policy.Early in the crisis, Mr. Decaro said, he went to Italy’s prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, and, with the hopes of avoiding 8,000 mayors with 8,000 different policies, asked him to strip the nation’s mayors of the authority they had over local health policy.
“Take this power away from us!” he said he implored Mr. Conte, who obliged.“Take this power away from us!” he said he implored Mr. Conte, who obliged.
But many mayors have also found Mr. Conte’s leadership has lacked the forcefulness and clarity of their own message.But many mayors have also found Mr. Conte’s leadership has lacked the forcefulness and clarity of their own message.
Sicilian mayors have written angry letters arguing for more funds to prevent a social catastrophe. Mayors in beach towns have complained that the government has left them unprepared for the erasure of the summer tourist season.Sicilian mayors have written angry letters arguing for more funds to prevent a social catastrophe. Mayors in beach towns have complained that the government has left them unprepared for the erasure of the summer tourist season.
And mayors in the hardest-hit towns in Lombardy have vented that Rome has “abandoned” them and deprived them of test kits.And mayors in the hardest-hit towns in Lombardy have vented that Rome has “abandoned” them and deprived them of test kits.
On Thursday, as the opening phase loomed, Mr. Decaro joined the mayors of major Italian cities — including Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, Florence and Venice — in a letter to Mr. Conte appealing for more clarity and funds, and to let them simplify public works contracts to get things moving again.On Thursday, as the opening phase loomed, Mr. Decaro joined the mayors of major Italian cities — including Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, Florence and Venice — in a letter to Mr. Conte appealing for more clarity and funds, and to let them simplify public works contracts to get things moving again.
“Trust the mayors,” they wrote.“Trust the mayors,” they wrote.
Mr. Decaro said he had also urged the government to offer a uniform line on everything including whether espresso should be consumed standing at the bar or seated at a table, in a ceramic or disposable cup.Mr. Decaro said he had also urged the government to offer a uniform line on everything including whether espresso should be consumed standing at the bar or seated at a table, in a ceramic or disposable cup.
“You can’t reopen without guidelines,” he said, adding that the onus would again fall on mayors to make sure that residents respected the rules.“You can’t reopen without guidelines,” he said, adding that the onus would again fall on mayors to make sure that residents respected the rules.
“In the next days, we must confront other problems,” he said.“In the next days, we must confront other problems,” he said.
Those included public transportation, staggering school and office schedules, and deciding whether restaurants should be allowed to expand onto more public space to accommodate the new distance required between al fresco tables.Those included public transportation, staggering school and office schedules, and deciding whether restaurants should be allowed to expand onto more public space to accommodate the new distance required between al fresco tables.
In that regard, the clear, if colorful, warnings of Italy’s mayors have notably contrasted with the message coming from the national government, which critics have called a confused muddle.In that regard, the clear, if colorful, warnings of Italy’s mayors have notably contrasted with the message coming from the national government, which critics have called a confused muddle.
Prime Minister Conte, a lawyer, prefers looping, legalistic, wishy-washy sentences. He uses his appearances on television and Facebook Live videos to exalt the myriad committees and tasks forces he likes to consult, as well as his own administration’s “transparency” and “seriousness.”Prime Minister Conte, a lawyer, prefers looping, legalistic, wishy-washy sentences. He uses his appearances on television and Facebook Live videos to exalt the myriad committees and tasks forces he likes to consult, as well as his own administration’s “transparency” and “seriousness.”
The mayors have taken a different tack.The mayors have taken a different tack.
Antonio Tutolo, the mayor of Lucera, in Puglia, lost it when he heard that hairdressers had visited the homes of women in his town. “Do you understand that the coffin will be closed?” he said, with a mask hanging below his chin.Antonio Tutolo, the mayor of Lucera, in Puglia, lost it when he heard that hairdressers had visited the homes of women in his town. “Do you understand that the coffin will be closed?” he said, with a mask hanging below his chin.
In another video, he gesticulated forcefully in blue gloves as he banned evening food deliveries. “Is it really necessary to get pizza home-delivered?” he shouted.In another video, he gesticulated forcefully in blue gloves as he banned evening food deliveries. “Is it really necessary to get pizza home-delivered?” he shouted.
Cateno De Luca, the mayor of Messina, the Sicilian town across the straits from mainland Italy, shot to national prominence by threatening residents of his town for strolling around.Cateno De Luca, the mayor of Messina, the Sicilian town across the straits from mainland Italy, shot to national prominence by threatening residents of his town for strolling around.
“I’ll catch you tomorrow! Not in years. Tomorrow!” he screamed. Then, in an effort to stop unauthorized people from coming to Sicily, he required people to register in a database 48 hours before arriving.“I’ll catch you tomorrow! Not in years. Tomorrow!” he screamed. Then, in an effort to stop unauthorized people from coming to Sicily, he required people to register in a database 48 hours before arriving.
The government in Rome called the measure illegal, exacerbating a war of words in which he insulted the country’s interior minister with a vulgarity. After she denounced him and, he said, “made me famous,” he sent her roses. He said in an interview that the entire national government “felt unmasked by a simple mayor.”The government in Rome called the measure illegal, exacerbating a war of words in which he insulted the country’s interior minister with a vulgarity. After she denounced him and, he said, “made me famous,” he sent her roses. He said in an interview that the entire national government “felt unmasked by a simple mayor.”
Updated June 5, 2020 Updated June 12, 2020
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
This month, after discovering that people were buying bags of charcoal before Easter, he threatened those who left their balcony grills for the parks. “We have ordered four mega drones with the voice of the mayor,” he said. “They will spot those walking around and hear my voice saying, “What the [expletive] are you doing? Go home.”This month, after discovering that people were buying bags of charcoal before Easter, he threatened those who left their balcony grills for the parks. “We have ordered four mega drones with the voice of the mayor,” he said. “They will spot those walking around and hear my voice saying, “What the [expletive] are you doing? Go home.”
Massimiliano Presciutti, the mayor of Gualdo Tadino, in Umbria, wanted to know, “Where are you going with these dogs with the inflamed prostates.”Massimiliano Presciutti, the mayor of Gualdo Tadino, in Umbria, wanted to know, “Where are you going with these dogs with the inflamed prostates.”
Mr. Decaro, the mayor of Bari, said that in the early days of the crisis, when people didn’t respect police officers, he told them, “Now I’m going to call your girlfriends, or your mothers.”Mr. Decaro, the mayor of Bari, said that in the early days of the crisis, when people didn’t respect police officers, he told them, “Now I’m going to call your girlfriends, or your mothers.”
He already had a social media following, in part because of a campaign video in which he rapped that people blamed him for everything (“if your woman is making it with your cousin, it’s my fault”). Now his anti-viral vigilantism had attracted newly sprouted fan clubs of adoring women.He already had a social media following, in part because of a campaign video in which he rapped that people blamed him for everything (“if your woman is making it with your cousin, it’s my fault”). Now his anti-viral vigilantism had attracted newly sprouted fan clubs of adoring women.
He found the celebrity, and that of his fellow mayors, amusing, but said he hoped that soon they could all go back to focusing on potholes.He found the celebrity, and that of his fellow mayors, amusing, but said he hoped that soon they could all go back to focusing on potholes.
“Because it will mean that we are back to normal,” he said, “then our citizens can yell at their mayors again.”“Because it will mean that we are back to normal,” he said, “then our citizens can yell at their mayors again.”