Lockdown in Italy, 15 March 2020

Originally posted on my Facebook page on 15 March

Outside every village in Italy you will find boards for public messages. The ones near us have the lockdown restrictions pasted on them. But in addition to public notices, they usually hold photos of the recently deceased locals. It's important to remember that Italy is still a series of local communities who know and care for each other. We can't even imagine how difficult it must be for the villages where so many of their residents are dying that they are conducting a burial every half hour. And with funerals banned, the grieving of their families will be so much more difficult. 

But Italians encourage each other with signs outside their homes: "andrà tutto bene" meaning everything will be alright. Inside this home as I passed, the laughter of children could be heard. It reminds us all to celebrate what we have with joy and gratitude, and not dwell on small inconveniences.

I want to reassure you that the restrictions we face, and that you also may face, are not draconian. We feel safe. Things are clear and simple. Food shops and markets are open. Pharmacies are open. You can get petrol. You can even get your plumbing repaired. 

Today we shopped at a number of locations including a health food shop, a cheese shop and a supermarket. No-one is panic-buying. There is a rule to remain 1 meter apart from other people and each shop has a sign asking you to respect this rule. For the small shops this means just 3 people inside, and as one leaves, one enters. It is surprisingly calming to operate this way. 

Cafes, restaurants, bars and other social places are closed. So people eat together in homes. Food production continues, transport continues. We even received an online order via courier. Non-essential workplaces are asked to take leave or work from home. Yes, there will be economic fall-out. Our closest friend here in Alba runs his own tourism business. For him, there will be only cancellations for the coming months. No-one knows how long. But if they did not act the result would be the same, only with more sickness and death. 

So as Spring arrives in this beautiful location, I take strength from the steadiness of these people. This is life unfolding with all its uncertainty, reminding us that we never really had control. There will be many lessons: a reminder to act for the good of all; a slowing down to remember what is truly essential; a forced stillness that might reignite our ability to be present. Life is what you make it. I choose patience, equanimity and gratitude for being in this place now.