Earlier, the epicenter of COVID-19 was Wuhan but currently, the fatalities in Italy are much higher than that of China. According to CNBC, it has 59,138 confirmed cases and the death toll is at 5,476 patients. Which is why the European country is in lockdown since March 9. However, between March 11 and 17, Italian cops found 43,000 people violating mandatory quarantine rules and pressed charges against them.
According to The Indian Express, Antonio Decaro, the mayor of Bari, personally asked people playing outside to go indoors.
"We are under a strict prevention policy to combat the #coronavirus! please all go back home!" @Antonio_Decaro, the mayor of #Bari in #Italy, was seen persuading the locals to leave the park as the nationwide lockdown continues. pic.twitter.com/ckEdIhPspo
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) March 19, 2020
The Guardian quoted Gianfilippo Bancheri, the mayor of Delia, rebuking citizens in a Facebook live video by saying, “Just today (Sunday) there were people having parties, barbecues. Are they serious? That’s how you transmit the disease! Apparently, some people still cannot engage their brains.”
An Italian mayor, Gianfilippo Bancheri rages at people who continue to go out and socialise despite the coronavirus warnings. The Delia mayor’s video which was posted on Facebook went viral pic.twitter.com/esF96mDVQk
— TRT World (@trtworld) March 22, 2020
Twitter user @protecttheflames compiled a video of mayors from various Italian towns rebuking those who were not taking the pandemic seriously.
My new favourite thing is Italian mayors and regional presidents LOSING IT at people violating quarantine. Here's an eng subtitled compilation. "I hear you wanna throw graduation parties. I'm gonna send the police over. With flamethrowers." #Covid19 #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/NbYuWePIVt
— 🌈 (@protectheflames) March 21, 2020
Twitter thought that their stern words were the need of the hour and might help people understand the gravity of the situation more than polite appeals.
Every city needs their own Italian mayor to get the message across https://t.co/UelngTwJ63
— Hassan (@_Hfakih) March 23, 2020
Do not mess with Italian mayors. https://t.co/pFTDolwb53
— Josh Gates (@joshuagates) March 22, 2020
Italian mayors asking their citizens, "WHERE THE ***K ARE YOU GOING?"
is exactly the right amount of energy this calamity needs.
— D (@Le_Sabre54) March 23, 2020
Italian mayors have had it with selfish people. Preach gentlemen. Preach. https://t.co/rJP6i0FR3O
— Shaye Ganam (@ShayeGanam) March 22, 2020
Sadly many Italians have not taken #Quarantine seriously. Believing that since they are "healthy" they "don't care". But what about their nonni? Their parents and others!? Total selfishness!
— Russ (@RussellPurkiss) March 22, 2020
These mayors are heroes. It sucks that people are so self centered & don't care about others.
— Susan LaDuke (@Sjladuke75Susan) March 23, 2020
Italian mayors cussing their constituents out for still being outside is my new favorite genre. https://t.co/zdF64tkP1H
— Naima Cochrane (@naima) March 23, 2020
Let’s not repeat these mistakes and instead learn that staying at home is the only way to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Hairdressing appointments, family vacations, outdoor cricket matches, and house parties can wait.