Mariangela is the mother of a small daughter. She is three years old. She lives with her family in Bologna, in northern Italy. Usually she works as an engineer in a factory, usually her daughter goes to daycare. But the normality was thwarted by the corona crisis in their country – as is now the case in Germany. The Italian spoke to BRIGITTE.de about her current situation.
When did you first hear about the corona virus, Mariangela?
"The first news I heard about Covid-19 reached me in January and came from China.
I was pretty sure that Covid-19 would arrive with us. I work with China and have traveled a lot, I was aware that nowadays we are all connected and the virus would come to Europe quickly – and so it was.
The perception nevertheless changed again. People realized that the virus can be anywhere and in any of us. Nobody is safe.
The corona virus affects old and young people. Of course, the older ones are more severely affected, but the young ones are just as bad.
Are you still healthy? How is your family?
"Fortunately we have been healthy so far, yes. The pandemic still affects my family – both socially and economically. No social contacts, not even with my parents or friends.
I am seriously concerned about our health, but also about our later economic impact. If we don't find a strategy to slowly return to a normal life, we run into a social crisis. It's going to be a tough time for everyone and I'm worried that managers and politicians aren't ready for it. That is my biggest concern. "
One of the worst aspects of the virus is that you can't go to the hospital. Families only get one phone call a day from doctors. It is such a sad thing.
What would you like to say to other people in whose countries the corona crisis is only just beginning to spread?
"I am not the type of person who gives advice and is very pragmatic. But:
You don't play with the corona virus. The crisis is serious.
Because it affects three spheres: health, economy and society. This combination can end in disaster. Such things usually happen one after the other, or at most two at a time. Now we are faced with three types of crises at once. It's a big deal. But that's just my view of things. "
The corona crisis presents the world with a new challenge – a common one. The first patients from Italy landed in German hospitals this week. Cohesion is what is important in these times – and what we can hopefully learn from this crisis. Thank you for the interview, dear Mariangela, and all the best.