Northern Italy’s “Little Steps” to Reopen Economy: New England Native da Silva LIVE

Northern Italy’s “Little Steps” to Reopen Economy: New England Native da Silva LIVE

Connecticut native Rebecca Couto da Silva joined GoLocal LIVE from Bolzano, Italy, for her weekly update on the coronavirus pandemic from Europe — and this week, spoke to how the country is working to reopen. 

“We know that in three weeks we won’t have this number of people dying, and we’re going to see if the opening up of society again is going to work, or how it’s going to work,” said da Silva. “It’s nice to see the number of infections has gone so low.”

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“There have been little steps sort of every Monday at either the regional levels or countrywide. As I mentioned, our region was allowed to go for runs again. Some cities said not everywhere, but the more rural places like where I live we’re allowed to go,” she added. “And then little industry — not like ‘little’ industries, but an industry or a small number of industries will get opened up every week.” 

From her home in Balzano, da Silva talked about grocery shopping — and supply and demand — in the northern Italian town, and how residents are coping with restrictions as the summer lies ahead. 

“I said how about some broccoli, and [was told], it’s pretty expensive today, so I said OK, I’ll get zucchini instead,” said da Silva, of a recent trip to the store.

“As the weather gets more beautiful, as things seem safer, I think there is a tendency to be like, ‘Oh god, enough is enough’ - [but there’s a general acceptance these measures are here to save lives,” she said.