The city of Bergamo, Italy is forced to send the bodies of victims from COVID-19 (Coronavirus) to be cremated outside of the region. Thirty military vehicles carried out the mothers, fathers, grandparents, friends, and the siblings that were taken by this virus as of March 18, 2020.
Former San Luis Obispo High School exchange student senior Carlo Ruggeri shares his personal experience with COVID-19 and how it is affecting him and his family back home in Bergamo.
Expressions: How has COVID-19 changed the way you live on a day to day basis?
Former SLOHS Exchange Student Senior Carlo Ruggeri: It’s something I’ve never experienced before. My mom and dad that are much older than me, and they even say the same thing. It’s really scary in the sense that in my town where we have like thirty thousand people, you can hear the sound of ambulances every thirty minutes, in the morning, in the afternoon, and at night, it never stops. It’s very scary.
Expressions: How has school in Bergamo changed since the spread of COVID-19?
Ruggeri: I haven’t gone to school, and we’re going to be back hopefully in the end of April, but they’re talking about restrictions until July so we don’t know.
Expressions: Has Italy’s healthcare system been able to provide for those in need?
Ruggeri: The healthcare system is collapsing; we don’t have enough doctors or hospitals. The doctors really only care about the young people. There are not enough ventilators or oxygen tanks for those who need them. It’s really a sad time for our country.
Expressions: How has COVID-19 affected your family?
Ruggeri: My dad and uncle are both at the hospital and have Coronavirus. In Italy, pretty much everyone has the virus, there are people who don’t have symptoms, especially young people who pass it to others because they don’t realize they have it. My dad had a fever and the level of oxygen in his blood was decreasing really fast when he got taken away in the ambulance.
Expressions: What is the best advice you can give SLOHS students, their families, and our nation?
Ruggeri: My biggest advice is to be prepared, stay home. Tell your grandparents and your family to stay home. I understand people underestimate it, and Italy did too. Then you see your friends dead, and their family going to the hospital.
