The UK’s initial reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic was “shocking,” said a prominent member of the Italian Coronavirus Advisory Group.
Professor Luca Richeldi, an expert on respiratory diseases and a member of the organization leading the Italian government’s Covid-19 strategy, told MEPs that he gave the impression that there was “very little or no reaction” to coronavirus in Britain while Italy was in March.
Italy has become Covid-19’s first epicenter in Europe, providing a grim track of what was about to happen when the fitness formula in the country’s prosperous north was overcome by the virus.
Addressing the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus, Professor Richeldi said: “We had army trucks full of coffins in Italy’s most economically evolving component, with one of Europe’s highest productive capabilities.
“We were seeing photographs seen in the wars, and it was a shocking moment for the country. In those same days, in the UK, there was virtually no reaction, if any, and the discussion was about whether to do it or not. close ads.
“I felt that what was happening in Italy was not seen as something that could happen in the UK. “
While cases fly in Spain, France and the UK, Italy has controlled it to keep the virus largely low despite the relaxation of blocking restrictions.
Tens of thousands of new infections occur in neighboring France and Spain, however, Italy’s seven-day moving average is low.
When asked why infections were higher in Britain than in Italy or Germany, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tuesday that the UK is a “freedom-loving country” that is “very difficult” to ask the British to respect the rules.
But Professor Richeldi noted the “emotional impact” of the devastation caused by the Covid-19 in places like Bergamo – and the demographics of those who died – as one of the main reasons why the country has not yet experienced a serious wave.
“We were experiencing a collective tragedy, a real tragedy,” he said. “The surprise was emotional as the elders were affected. The average age of those who died on the first wave was 80 years. This component of the Italian family circle is of importance.
“The surprise that families could not be close to their loved ones at the time of their death affected others emotionally. So now even the younger generation feels a little guilty about protecting the elderly.
“That’s why we’re seeing widespread use of masking and social estating, and other people don’t complain about it. We didn’t have big marches opposite the mask. It doesn’t make sense if you experienced what happened in Italy in March. “
A survey by Imperial College London found that 84% of Italians were “pretty willing” to wear a mask, up from 76% in the UK.
Another educator noted that a functional and tracking regimen, administered at the regional point, had helped Italy involve the virus.
Professor Paolo Vineis, epidemiologist at Imperial College London and the Italian Institute of Genomic Medicine in Turin, said: “We have a smart touch search formula established in other regions, and it results in paintings basically because the number of cases is small. This has been very effective in treating other people returning from vacation.
“Believe it or not, the other Italian people have complied,” he added. “People sometimes think Italians don’t comply with regulations, however, wherever they go, look for other people dressed in masks. The government has been able to get the message”. through that we have to be very careful.
Related: Boris Johnson blames Covid rule violators for allowing ‘invisible enemy to pass’
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