Italy to impose stricer covid restrictions

I saw this on the National News with David Muir tonight. He also reported that Germany is fearing a third surge due the variant hitting most of Europe. There was also a mention about Eastern Europe having increased cases but I missed a bit of that part. It’s frustrating.

So, wait until after the weekend before enacting determined changes? Whatever works, and the sooner the better, to stifle spikes, ensure a healthy situation, and make tourism possible.

This article is a good reminder that it could still be awhile before things start to improve. With vaccinations now getting up to speed, I had hoped this would cause the new cases to start decreasing. With new variants occurring, it's probably going to be awhile before travel to Italy becomes possible.

The trend in the Paris region also is of considerable concern and more stringent restrictions are being considered, with an announcement about that in the next few days.

This is sobering but not altogether unexpected news. For once, the US is not the butt of all ridicule as the big hedonist dog that wouldn't follow rules--not that there is ridicule to mete out--it's just sad. I can only imagine it was due to the opening of restrictions well before the vaccine rollout that was bolloxed up, apparently worse than here in the States.

It also makes me realize that even for an April 2022 trip as planned, we will no doubt have to have another vaccine & booster in advance--wife and I just had our boosters in the last week. In addition, trip insurance is a must, reading the fine lines for the Covid clauses which no doubt will be present.

It's sobering indeed, Jay, and I'm personally worried about the vaccines we DO have not being effective against one or more of the variants raising their evil little heads. The Hubster and I have both had two rounds of Pfizer and are crossing fingers that the pharmaceutical industry is already working on new boosters to attack those nasty critters. Just as with annual flu shots, a yearly COVID vaccination could become a way of life?

It's so weird now to look back at postings from last winter and observe COVID's effect progress from mere mention, to somewhat concerning, to the unimaginable.

I am a "frontliner" RN in a major CA city and I can tell you that help is "on the way". You all have heard about al the nasty hopeless stuff but I want to let you know that the great Pharma companies of the world are not one-trick ponies. For example you have heard of the Johnson & Johnson and the coming Glaxo Smith Kline and an even more potent AstraZeneca vaccines but there are still more coming from not just the existing companies but still more. Additionally hidden by the major news releases are the continually improving treatments and therapies that are saving those were previously considered hopeless. For example, Lilly's new treatment regimen is currently saving lives and Gilead will be bringing an oral therapy soon (that doesn't require it being shot in your arm).
Unfortunately, only the desperate bad news sells advertising but be assured that we are winning the battle in the "first world" countries and with President Biden's announcement of participating to vaccinate the world we will soon be able to travel safely. I'm not sure if our third "trip of a Lifetime" - Rick Steves Florence - in 2020 will be able to be done this year but it's looking like we might be able to go 2022.
Our son is an aerospace engineer and has been telling us that America's fighting the War on COVID and in their offices they have pictures of the WWII Rosie the Riveter with the rolled up sleeves and the "Let's Do It" emblazoned across. He says President Biden is right, it's time to FIGHT.
Sorry about the lengthy reply.

Nice post ShirlT

The vaccination plan of the Italian government (Superior Institute of Health, an institution within the National Health Service) forecasts that the entire Italian population will be vaccinated within the end of the 4th quarter 2021. However at the current rate it doesn’t appear that will be achieved before May 2022, so hopefully things will speed up in the upcoming months.

It's sobering indeed, Jay, and I'm personally worried about the
vaccines we DO have not being effective against one or more of the
variants raising their evil little heads. The Hubster and I have both
had two rounds of Pfizer and are crossing fingers that the
pharmaceutical industry is already working on new boosters to attack
those nasty critters. Just as with annual flu shots, a yearly COVID
vaccination could become a way of life?

It's so weird now to look back at postings from last winter and
observe COVID's effect progress from mere mention, to somewhat
concerning, to the unimaginable.

Kate--I'm fully expecting this to be an annual vaccine, and that's...OK. I mean, for those of us 60+, whatthehell kind of vaccines did we have as kids?! TB, mumps, measles, POLIO?! People forget how nuts folks were before the Jonas Salk vaccine came out. I was freaked out by shots then and still don't like 'em, but in this case you do what you have to do. I had my 2nd Pfizer last week, and other than a little fatigue, I'm OK.

This upcoming trip planning for Switzerland/Italy in April 2022 will be like no other, that I can guarantee.

In several of my discussions with people, they brought up "why wait until Monday?" The answer is simple, waiting a few days will not worsen the situation by much, but it does give people time to develop a plan, get supplies, and be able to isolate without sneaking out to get needed things.

This Easter 2021 trip to Italy:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w19Fa_E8r_c&feature=youtu.be

Hello again guys,
I don't want to be a pest, but like Dr. Fauci says, it depends how you look at things.
Here are the numbers and how it looks;;
First, the new vaccination resolve being done by our favorite EU countries can only accelerate.
Second, Italy tired of being "Rodney Dangerfield" and is taking active steps to move up from 7.5%.
Third, vaccinations numbers depend on supply (look at the USA) so as the EU certifies vaccines, things will really move.
Since EU countries have government healthcare, the infrastructure already exists (but will have to be expanded)
Overall, looks good for the future - maybe not this year, but definitely the next.
Again, sorry about being long-winded. Rick, I'm getting ready.

Key figures for the most impacted countries worldwide as of March 11, 7:22 GMT

Total infections Active infections Recoveries Deaths
UK 4,234,924 761,448 3,348,489 124,987
France 3,963,165 3,604,581 269,019 89,565
Spain 3,178,442 283,048 2,823,433 71,961
Italy 3,123,368 487,074 2,535,483 100,811
Vaccinations by country
Per 100 people Total Vaccinated Fully vaccinated
U.K. 37 24,759,603 35% 2.2%
United States 30 101,128,005 20% 11%
Portugal 11 1,113,885 7.7% 3.1%
Sweden 11 1,093,915 7.5% 3.3%
Germany 11 8,863,270 7.4% 3.3%
Italy 11 6,430,266 7.5% 3.2%
Austria 11 929,497 7.5% 3.0%

Paul, it makes sense that people need time to prepare. Perhaps anyone who was ready started following the new procedures early. Hopefully everybody in Italy got stocked up on toilet paper before Monday! ;-)

Roberto, someone posted the same basic video on the Rick Steves forum a couple of weeks ago, with a woman, but this guy’s new one has better sound effects, and a much better jet engine image from inside the washing machine. Maybe future videos could show the “passenger,” having “arrived,”withdrawing money from an “ATM,” perhaps the microwave oven at home.

ShirlT, based on those figures, all those EU countries are at about 7.5% population with at least one dose, and about 3.3% totally vaccinated. Italy sure has had a higher percentage of deaths versus total infections, undoubtedly due to several factors. The UK active cases number is relatively large; the virus variant there must be wreaking havoc, but the percentage of citizens with their first shot is also relatively high. Hopefully the vaccination rate will accelerate, and the further restrictions will achieve results. Italy gets some respect, for getting its priorities and policies in order.