The Best Place to be in during a Pandemic

When news hit that the Coronavirus emergency had become a worldwide pandemic, Italy was at the top of the headlines everywhere and at the top of the cases and deaths lists. It seemed like the worst place to be in. Countries started banning flights from Italy and Europe and everyone I know contacted me or my family to ask about the situation here and how I was doing.

When I wrote about my experience going through this as the country had shut down, I got a lot of response from people. Everyone in the US was interested in reading about it and sharing it because they felt that it’s where they were headed. Of course, this not only turned out to be true, but the US even surpassed Italy and every other country in the world and has stayed up there for quite some time now. Maybe it’s because the US likes to always be number one. Or maybe it’s because like CNN put it, “America’s response to the Coronavirus is the most American thing ever”.

As the virus started hitting the US and widespread panic among the American people emerged, I started to realize how great it is to be in a country that places humanity and people as their priority. The reaction in the US was so different than that in China and even Italy.

In communist China, when the government ordered a Lockdown in Wuhan, people listened.

In Italy, when the numbers started increasing quickly, it took a bit longer for people to pay attention and take it seriously. However, when the news and government got concerned and started placing strict restrictions, fear started spreading and most people followed the precautions. In a country where people, family, and the elderly are beloved and respected, everyone placed their family’s health first. Concern for parents and grandparents increased and the younger ones stayed home.

Italians surprised me showing just how disciplined they actually can be when things get serious. Everyone was respectful, wore their masks, and kept their distance. People didn’t go out, didn’t socialize, a lot of them even avoided the supermarkets. When going to the supermarket, practically the only thing we were actually allowed to go out for, people made the line, waited patiently, bought what they needed quickly, and left.

When the numbers got as high in the US as they were when Italy went into Lockdown, the country continued on as if nothing. When the situation finally got bad enough for the government to take notice and start placing light restrictions, people complained. The news spread terror rather than useful information, people panicked and adapted the “Each man for himself” mentality. Lines at the supermarket consisted of people waiting impatiently, complaining, and shelves emptied as if there was a war coming. People bought everything they could to stock up, rather than just what they needed and ration it out leaving supplies for the next person that came along. Distances weren’t respected, most didn’t wear masks or gloves, everyone was out, protests broke out.

During this time, the American news started making it to Italy, showing how the situation was worsening there. Everyone felt for New York City, everyone’s favorite city, and its residents. It had become the “Milan” of the US. There was an article on the Italian newspaper of an Italian living in New York City talking about the lack of humanity found in the US and the selfish mentality that we have. My reaction to that was “I agree. There’s nowhere in the world I’d rather be.”

As some states started going into supposed “Lockdown”, a lot of people didn’t follow the restrictions. People’s main concern was what this was doing to the economy, their daily life and luxuries, and freedom: American priorities. The country has now eased up restrictions in all 50 states even though there are doubts whether the country is ready to go back to normal. But the pressure from the economy is just too big in the great American Empire.

People have asked me if I have missed being home during this time, as a lot of Italians went to their hometown to be with family when the news broke out. However, it’s had the opposite effect on me. For starters, there’s not much I could’ve done being back home with my family. I would’ve only been risking my parents’ health potentially taking the virus with me from Italy. Plus, I much rather be in a country that places health and humanity at the top, especially at a time like this. Also, if we can’t travel this summer, Italy is not a bad place to be stuck in. So, it’s actually reinforced how happy I am with where I live and there’s nowhere in the world I’d rather be.