Bad Lesson From Italy: Deaths Spike As Governments Fail To Control Society

JAKARTA - The Italian government is not unaware of the dangers of COVID-19. Since his exposure in China, Italy became the first country to close flights to and from China in January. Unfortunately, the authorities were unable to control the people. As a result, the jump in deaths occurred because the Italian population became aware of the danger of the plague they were facing. It's Italy, whose government is serious. How is Indonesia?

As of writing, cases of COVID-19 in Italy reached 31,506. Of that number, 2,941 people have recovered. Italy's cure rate is slightly different from that of 2,503 deaths. Italy automatically recorded the highest number of deaths in COVID-19 cases. Horrible, obviously. However, what is more terrifying than the number of deaths is seeing how day after day the Italian population goes through death after death itself.

All disasters started on January 31 last. At that time, the first two cases were confirmed in Rome, through two tourists from China who arrived in Milan via Milan Malpensa Airport on January 23. From there, the two traveled to Rome by tour bus. In Rome, the two were hospitalized at the National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani. The two guests from the Land of Bamboo were positive. The virus is confirmed to have entered Italy.

Furthermore, February 6, an Italian man who returned from the city of the source of the virus, Wuhan, China, tested positive for COVID-19. Cases increased to three. February 22, the man was declared cured and discharged from the hospital. However, in fact there was a fatal flaw. Before being tested positive for COVID-19, the man was hospitalized with a diagnosis of pneumonia. He was not isolated, so he unconsciously transmitted COVID-19 to other patients.

The day before the man was declared cured, February 21 to be precise, another COVID-19 case was detected outside Rome. Starting with 16 cases in Lombardy. One day later, coinciding with the Italian man's return, authorities declared an additional 60 cases. Apart from additional cases, that day the authorities also announced the first death cases. By the end of February, Italy was listed as the European country with the most cases of COVID-19.

COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in Italy. The authorities are aware that the move to close flights from China has not succeeded in curbing the spread of the virus. They then closed schools and universities. Even so, another place that could be a gathering space for people was not closed. Restaurants, shops and bars remain open. It is reported that Italians are still active as usual.

Day 4 of lockdown. One person at a time. Supermarket in Milan.#ItaliaLockdown#ItalyLockdown#Lockdown#MMLockdown@bayanmo @gmanews pic.twitter.com/6JEr7nvDwS

- jrob (@jracuzar) March 13, 2020

Failed control

The Italian government is considered to have failed to control its citizens. Even when more extreme policies have to be taken. The increase in the number of cases and deaths forced the authorities to adopt a quarantine policy. Quarantines were established in the three areas with the highest cases of COVID-19 (red zone): Lombardy, Veneto and Marche.

However, the quarantine plan was leaked before it was announced. Chaos ensued. On March 7, thousands of people panicked and tried to flee to move to another area of Italy that is free of quarantine.

Train stations are busy, roads are full of creeping vehicles following a draft decree prohibiting people from leaving or entering the three red zone areas. The potential for deployment is even greater. The exodus of residents of Lombardy, Veneto and Marche to other parts of Italy has resulted in the transmission of large numbers of COVID-19, from person to person.

"What happened to the leaked news has caused many people to try to flee, causing the opposite effect of what the law was trying to achieve. Unfortunately, some of those who escape will become infected with this disease," said Roberto Burioni, a professor of microbiology and virology at the University of Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, quoted in The Guardian.

The quarantine failed miserably. On March 9, the Italian Prime Minister (PM) Giuseppe Conte finally decided to implement a national lockdown. This means that all public events are banned, schools and public spaces - cinemas to bars - are closed. In addition, various religious services, including funerals and weddings were suspended. "The red zone is now being extended to all national territories," Conte told a news conference.

Conte added that the national lockdown step was taken to protect the community, especially individuals who are most vulnerable to COVID-19, namely the elderly. To enforce these rules, military police, rail police and medical officers patrol transportation locations such as roads and train stations.

What happened in Italy is a bad lesson for other nations in the world, including Indonesia. Quick steps are not enough. The authority of each country must be able to control its citizens. Not by forceful steps, which is clear. The government must cultivate trust in them in the hearts of the people.

Because, eradicating the plague is not just a matter of rules. There are sociological approaches that need to be adapted. Transparency and openness may be a good place to start. People need to know that the government can be relied on.