A Letter from Italy
21 March 2020
Buongiorno,
Regarding the pandemic, I just want to let you know REAL facts about what's going on here. Felise and I are well and please believe we thank God for that often as we know it could change in a moment.
-We are still required to work 1-2 days a week.
-2 or more people on base (Vicenza) have tested positive in the last week. I'm sure more are coming.
-We can’t leave our city.
-All schools are online at this time.
-We are doing online church and virtual meetings.
-Wherever we are, we must keep two meter distance from others. No gatherings whatsoever. The grocery stores will only allow so many people in the store at once, so they are sometimes lines outside of people standing two meters a part. Stores have tape on the floor at checkout lines.
-We can get food delivered but obviously can't go to a bar or restaurant for a coffee or meal.
-All retail shops are closed. The PX is only selling essential items.
-Italy had the most deaths yesterday (627 in one day).
-We are over halfway to meeting China's # of cases and there are far less people in Italy.
It’s horrible, sad, gut wrenching, and tragic that so many Italians are no longer on this earth - mostly elderly that are the heart and soul of this country. There were so many bodies, in the town of Lombardy, they loaded them on military trucks and took them to crematoriums or cemeteries. They are being buried or cremated without ceremonies.
New restrictions for movement within our city :
-you are allowed only 200 meters around your house
-no running or biking around anywhere,
-no short leisure walks allowed anymore. (* I went out for a walk yesterday far from my home and the polizia stopped us on the way back and said we could be fined, but he would let us go and we needed to go home. Three hours later, I received these restrictions.)
You are allowed to take your trash out of course.
-All grocery stores will be closed on Sunday and only ONE MEMBER per family can access the stores.
All this AT LEAST until April 3rd!
This is truly an historical time. One month and five days have passed since the first known case. I cannot believe the numbers this small country is producing and the numbers continue to drastically climb. I have a feeling it will extend past April 3rd.
I know it's just getting started where you are, but be extreme. As silly as it sounds, take extreme caution and stay home. Use technology to your advantage. Also, don't be one of the those grumbling about being ordered to stay home and rest while spending time with your family. Really? That's what people complain about?
May God protect you all. Reflect on what's most important and use this time for prayer and repentance.
Be blessed and I love you,
Stacy
-Andrà Tutto Bene-
What then have I always known
In all the difficult moments
And I wanted to tell you that if you believe in it
everything will be fine (andrà tutto bene)
This is the beginning and not the end
One love without a border
My friend, Hillary, designed a series of 8x10 posters and iPhone wallpapers. She said, “Each andrà tutto bene iPhone wallpaper was designed to lift your spirits, and whisper positivity into your ear throughout the rest of this quarantine period. The last bit of information that I want to share is that 100% of the money that comes from these downloads will be given to local Italians. Matt and I have everything we need, and it is no question that those around us in Vicenza do not.” You can purchase here.
