“Before it’s too late”. Italy calls for more European solidarity

The Italian President, Sergio Mattarella, called this Friday for European solidarity, “before it is too late”, saying that the country lives “a sad page” of its history, because of the pandemic of covid-19.

As coffins pile up across Italy, the country with the highest number of deaths from people infested by the new coronavirus, Sérgio Mattarella tried to reinforce the spirit of the population, in a televised communication to the country.

“We went through difficult and dramatic moments at other times. Certainly we will also succeed – together – this time,” said the Italian President, on the day that Italy recorded the record number of almost 1,000 deaths from coronavirus in 24 hours.

Mattarella thanked the “many heads of state, from Europe and other regions, who expressed their proximity to Italy”, recalling that many of them stressed the importance of the Italian experience in order to better tackle the pandemic problem in their countries.

However, the Italian President left a message for leaders who have been blocking increased financial and humanitarian aid for the affected European countries, calling for more solidarity.

“Other common initiatives are indispensable, overcoming old standards that are now outside the reality of the dramatic conditions in which our continent finds itself. I hope that everyone fully understands, before it is too late, the seriousness of the threat to Europe. Solidarity does not it is only required by the values ​​of the Union, but it is also in the common interest “, concluded the President.

“We have seen images that will be impossible to forget. Some territories – and in particular the older generation – are paying a very high price,” said Mattarella in the speech in which he welcomed the thousands of doctors who offered to work in the most affected by the outbreak in the north of the country.

Mattarella encouraged Italians to continue to obey the national decree that has kept them at home for two and a half weeks, with exceptions reserved only for essential jobs or vital tasks, such as buying food and medicines.

“I would like to thank everyone. The sacrifices of behavior that the measures indicated by the government require from everyone are being accepted with great civic sense, demonstrated by the majority of citizens,” added Mattarella.

The President also praised the work of the medical teams, as well as the efforts of those who ensure the production and distribution of food or those who are in the production lines of protective masks.

“I would like to express renewed gratitude to those who, for all of us, are facing the disease with relentless selflessness: doctors, nurses, all health personnel,” said the President.

The total number of deaths in Italy rose to 9,134, an increase of 969 compared to Thursday.

The new coronavirus, responsible for the covid-19 pandemic, has already infected around 572,000 people worldwide, of whom nearly 26,500 died. Of the cases of infection, at least 124,400 are considered cured.

After appearing in China in December, the outbreak spread worldwide, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a pandemic situation.

Several countries have adopted exceptional measures, including the quarantine regime and border closure.

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