“Citizens are considering moving to countries with less stringent COVID-19 restrictions”
In Italy, protests against the compulsory presentation of “green cards” – COVID electronic certificates for access to the workplace. Demonstrators accuse the authorities of violating their rights and freedoms and demand that the government meet their demands, especially the abandonment of the new outdated system. A Russian woman living in the Italian village of Argenta told us more about the situation with COVID-19 in the country.
The Italian Government does not hide that such harsh measures are intended to encourage unvaccinated residents to be vaccinated. Currently, more than 85% of the country's adult population has received both doses of the drug from COVID-19. Approximately 4 million people of working age are still unvaccinated. Most of those who have not been vaccinated are citizens over the age of 50.
The Italian Ministry of Health is convinced that only a system of “green cards” can protect the country from new outbreaks of a pandemic and save it from a nationwide blockade that is catastrophic for the economy. p>
The epidemiological situation in Italy is now relatively favorable. The number of new cases of coronavirus is maintained at 2.5-3 thousand people per day and the number of daily deaths does not exceed 30-40. This, in conjunction with the new restrictive measures, has caused dissatisfaction on the part of the population.
“One has the impression that the Italian authorities, which are imposing disproportionately harsh and premature restrictions, not only want to prevent a new wave of the pandemic, but also not fall into the trap of last year,” said Elena from Argenta, Ferrara, Italy. – In the autumn of 2020, morbidity and mortality in the country rose sharply. Then people began to criticize the government for not taking care of its population in advance, not realizing that with the onset of cold weather, the virus would begin to spread more actively and did not take real measures to combat it. On the other hand, we must not forget that the vaccination campaign is also a business in a way. Pharmaceutical companies make a lot of money on this. More and more pharmacies are opening even in the smallest Italian cities.
Of course, the new antivirus restrictions are reflected in everyday life. Previously, there were virtually no summer verandas in Italy, and locals usually drink coffee quickly and run for work. He doesn't sit for hours in restaurants. However, with the introduction of the new rules, many establishments began to place additional tables in front of the entrance or quickly create verandas from the ground up to give visitors without “green leaves” the opportunity to eat outside.
Now, in order to enter public and private institutions, shops, shopping malls, gyms, we must also provide either a vaccination card or proof of recovery from COVID-19. Those who have not been ill or do not want to be vaccinated may have coronavirus tests every 48 hours. People are willing to pay a lot of money for it, just so they don't get an injection.
For example, my friend attended a doula course (a specialist in the professional care of a woman in childbirth – “MK”). Her classes start in November, but she is still not vaccinated and does not seem to be getting ready. I asked my friend if she would be allowed to study when she was still not vaccinated. It turned out that it is enough to perform a coronavirus test every 2 weeks. At the same time, he understands very well that if he is prepared for this opportunity, he will have to either leave the courses or get vaccinated.
Many of my acquaintances were vaccinated under pressure from employers. The fact is that employees who break the rules risk being left without pay. Absence of an employee at the workplace due to a lack of confirmation is equivalent to absence and is therefore not paid. Authorities also warn that the deliberate relocation of unvaccinated workers for whom a green card is not required is unacceptable.
My friend's husband works in a logistics company. At one time he was very politely and kindly asked to talk about his intentions regarding vaccination, and then it was made clear that if he was not vaccinated, he would be sent on unpaid leave and replaced by another worker. Why not fire? ”
According to Elena, protests became more frequent against the background of the introduction of the “green passport” system. They are now held regularly. People do not agree with being forced to be vaccinated. They believe that this is a direct violation of their rights and freedoms.
“Recently, my yoga instructor posted a very emotional post on Facebook, in which he talked about a completely wild protest in Trieste, which was pacified by the police,” Russia continues. “She was virtually paralyzed by what had happened. In her opinion, the Italian constitution was trampled and trampled into the mud, and the authorities lost all respect for ordinary people. It condemned the violence used by the police against peaceful demonstrators. Women, men, the elderly and children calmly went to the demonstration to defend their legal rights, but the police suddenly decided to check the strength of their baton heads. Hydrants, smokestacks and tear gas were also used.
My teacher even decided to close her school until the division into vaccinated and unvaccinated was over. For her, yoga is also a symbol of the unity of people of different nations, cultures and religions. He therefore does not want to divide his students and sow strife among them because some have a “green pass” while others do not. Now all her courses will take place online. And by the way, this is not the only yoga school that has ended for this reason. So it is also a kind of protest, albeit calmer.
Some Italians are considering major changes in their lives, including moving to countries with less stringent restrictions on coronavirus. It seems to me that this is now not only a problem for the people of Italy, but also for the citizens of many other countries. On the one hand, no one seems to be talking about compulsory vaccination. At the same time, the authorities use tools of coercion that simply force people to be vaccinated. It is difficult to say whether this is right or not, because the conditions are really quite extreme now, a pandemic is raging in the world.
In the meantime, everyone should have the right to choose. In addition, people may have objective reasons why they cannot be vaccinated. These are contraindications for health, negative experiences and even fear. These factors must also be taken into account. “