Naigaon resident settled in Italy, which has been severely hit by the novel Coronavirus outbreak, shares his experience of living in fear for past year
Kevin Rebello said he mostly confines himself to his home in Milan and ventures out with utmost precautions
As he prepares to mark one year of living with anxiety and fear on February 20, a Naigaon resident settled in Italy wants Mumbaikars to take masks and social distancing seriously. Italy has been ravaged by COVID-19, with the virus claiming over 94,000 lives so far. As of Wednesday, the virus felled an average 300 people a day.
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Kevin Rebello’s elderly parents in Naigaon continue to worry about his safety. Kevin said he seldom ventures out of his flat in Milan where authorities fine nearly R43,000 or 500 euros for flouting safety norms.
Kevin called Milan, his home for the past 23 years, a “very red” zone. When the outbreak hit a year ago, everyone, including Kevin, thought it would be over soon. But they were mistaken.
A nun walks past a closed ice-cream shop in Rome on Thursday. Pic/AFP
“Masks, sanitisers and social distancing is the new normal. We just transformed our ways to live, learn and work. This new hybrid world has changed us a lot, shuffling ourselves working remotely and from being clustered in a work environment. For me since the pandemic began, it was going to be a disaster. Expenses, rent and lease of office space all were just accumulating,” said the wellness consultant. He has taken up to reading and focused on improving lifestyle.
Staying away from news didn’t add to his worries. “I stopped worrying and focused on improving on my passion and work. I am now focused on helping others around me to make a similar impact.”
Amid talks of the return of a lockdown to Mumbai, Kevin said they are used to strict restrictions and have taken the new life in their stride as going out is “too” risky. “All over Italy, there are rainbow banners of hope that say ‘Everything Will be Fine’,” he said.
Back home, his 70-year-old mother Glays spends time surfing net on her mobile, reading about COVID situations around the world and discussing it with her husband Frank, 80, who is recuperating from age-related ailments.
“I get worried about Kevin as I appraise myself with international news, though Kevin assures me not to worry, but I can’t stop worrying,” she said. Kevin had visited his parents in November 2019. “I am sure, he won’t be thinking of visiting us anytime soon,” she said. Their locality in Naigaon does not have any suspected COVID-19 cases, she said. Glays said they follow their son’s advice on taking precautions, including not to go for vaccination unless advised by a doctor.
Underlining the need for collective efforts, Glays said, “The government cannot be held responsible for everything, they are doing their best to overcome the pandemic, but the public needs to do their bit too by following COVID protocol.”
In Italy, Kevin prays “no one has to go through this painful situation ever”. “For the sake of your loved ones, be safe and respect all the health measures. A little sacrifice now will help end this all at the right moment.”
23
No. of years Kevin has been living in Milan
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