“It will take a couple of months, but Milan will make it.” Away from optimism “in fashion” but also from the most tragic pessimism and from any form of resignation. Beppe Sala arrives in the Albertini room of the Corriere for a long forum with the editorial staff. The director Luciano Fontana urges him: «Mayor, how long will we have to wait before returning to normal? “By talking to some entrepreneurs in China, I convinced myself that it will take a couple of months,” replies Sala. Optimism, now more than ever, is a necessity. Meanwhile – the mayor observes with a touch of pride – the city has never stopped, it has nevertheless continued, “it has kept up.” Public transportation, garbage collection: “There have been no cuts in services”. It is clear, however, that the blow will be felt because “it was significant”.
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And that we will have to get up. At the time urged by the conductor Massimo Rebotti, the mayor lists the city’s requests to the government. In summary: the measures designed for the red zone of the health emergency (those immediately around the two outbreaks of the virus) must be extended to the productive capital of the country. With two concrete examples: Milan too must have the contribution of 500 euros per month for self-employed workers affected by the crisis, and here too the redundancy fund will have to arrive as an exception for companies with less than 15 employees. A crisis that has few precedents. Sala goes back in time and remembers the years of lead, the people plugged into the house in collective anguish. But now he above all wants to send a message that could not be more political. “To supporters of autarky, I say: here it is, your closed world. Is it really what we want? ‘ “Is the coronavirus emergency likely to bring the city back to the times before Expo?”, They ask the mayor. “And how long will it take to recover?” “An annetto,” says Sala, who once again reaffirms the concept: “Milan has all the resources to recover. Hospitality, design, fashion, food: the world will always want these things that are here. It will take some time but they will come back to ask us. However, a very significant investment will have to be made for the revitalization of the city. Now is not the time, but I am already telling all the protagonists of Milan to be ready, from the rapper to Giorgio Armani, because it will take something unique ».
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And then the 2026 Winter Olympics, “Thank goodness we brought them home, because they really could be the lever of our revival”. The virus containment measures decided by the government are fine, but with a recommendation underlined three times: the closure of schools cannot be decided at the last moment, “Sunday for Monday”. “Make a decision in good time and on which families can organize their lives.” The questions of the Corriere reporters and those of the readers connected live on the site. For example, there is the theme, felt very much in citizens’ questions, of the protection of the elderly and the most fragile groups. Sala smiles: “I am approaching the age indicated by the experts as being at risk”. But beyond the (self) irony, the question remains unavoidable. “Milan is putting in place a home help system because our elderly are convinced to arm themselves at home.” The basic consideration is valid: “If there is to be more rigorous now to avoid the peak it is done”.
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A reader criticizes the mayor for the photo with the shirt #milanononsiferma posted a few days ago on Instagram. “It was a” light “image. Was it a mistake? Even in hindsight I say no. Because there is man and there is an institution. I am like this. The Milanese now know me, it’s part of my way of being. I think most people need to see the right tranquility in me. Milan is going through a difficult time, but I personally have gone through other difficult moments in my life ». “I’m tired but confident,” repeats Sala. Inevitable then, at the end, ask him about the possible re-candidacy. «Milan deserves an extremely convinced and determined mayor. If I apply again it will be downstream of a reflection and if it will happen it is because I will know that I have the exact same strength for another five years; I will never do it saying that it is “because there is work to be continued” “. In short, any candidacy “will in some way be discontinued by myself. I will apply again if I believe I am the right person with the right strength for Milan ».
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March 4, 2020 | 12:10
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