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«Movida and holidays, so we risk new outbreaks»


«The circulation of virus it is low, but not absent and therefore we cannot pretend that the pandemic is over ». For Pier Luigi Lopalco, epidemiologist at the head of the task force of the Puglia Region, in this phase the mistake of restarting the infections due to excess of safety must be avoided and distances and other precautionary measures must be kept.

Professor, new outbreaks of Covid-19 are born like mushrooms here and there, even in Rome the positives are increasing, yet the streets are crowded, the beaches full and many circulate without a mask and the risks at this point seem very high. Is there anything to worry about?
«Objectively these days the possibility that there are positive subjects in the groups is low, and this creates the illusion that the gatherings are not able to generate an epidemic. It is a dog that bites its tail: the low viral circulation leads to underestimate the risk, which instead exists, and to loosen the precautionary measures, but in doing so it continues to circulate the virus. And instead we must insist on this in the communication: the spacing measures are precautionary and must be maintained to prevent viral circulation and therefore avoid that infections spread again. It is complicated to communicate, but we must strive to do it ».

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The outbreaks have so far been readily identified and circumscribed, is the government’s strategy working?
«The identification of outbreaks that is being carried out is fundamental. But there is a problem, this level of timely and optimal intervention is possible as long as the numbers are limited. If so many new outbreaks were to swarm, the system cannot hold up: because resources, doctors, swabs, equipment and laboratories are needed. It is a huge commitment to health services. This is also why we need to be cautious, just avoid crowding and continue to keep the masks especially indoors ».

Should controls be strengthened as they were during quarantine?
«The controls during the lockdown were possible because we were all at home and the offenders could be easily identified, but today, in a situation of free movement, how do we do them? We can’t think of becoming a militarized society, because people can’t stand a meter apart? It would be really unthinkable ».

So what should be done?
«It’s a communication problem. Experts speak freely, each bringing a piece of truth, but with the risk of confusing the population and not out of malice, but because they are accustomed to scientific contexts, where they talk among peers and the communication methods are completely different from social networks or television. Instead the institutions, which should give the line on strategies and speak to citizens, are silent: their information is absolutely weak ».

Does the Ministry of Health not communicate effectively?
«Not only the Ministry of Health, but all the institutions involved in the management of the pandemic. The messages in this phase are managed by opinion leaders, politicians, not only scientists: public communication should summarize and manage the messages to be sent to the population. It is not simple, but it should be done, the institutions have disappeared from the radar of popular debate ».

In Puglia you were among the first to activate the Immuni app, but at a national level the numbers are low, at this point could it be useful for citizens?
«Absolutely useful, indeed it is especially useful in this phase in which people move. It is the only way to be warned in some way if you have been in contact with a positive person. We are not aware of the health situation of unusual and occasional contacts. The app is an extra help ».

Do you fear the proliferation of new outbreaks in the coming months?
«It is very probable that with the spacing rules and the warm season it will be possible to gradually stop the circulation of the coronavirus. But only as long as we follow the precautions, we can not pretend anything. In recent weeks the virus has shown us that a distraction is enough and it enters the most exposed communities such as the health sector (San Raffaele in Rome) or the workers (Bologna and Mondragone). If the number of outbreaks is low, they intervene and stop immediately. I want to say one thing: the population most at risk remains that of fragile subjects and the elderly, the virus has not changed, if it reaches the vulnerable it does damage, as happened in the outbreak of Rome. This is why senior citizens must pay even more attention and young people must continue to protect their grandparents ».

Last updated: 00:37

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