“The loneliest of diseases”

In these times of isolation we feel a lot, we are so sorry. Everything hurts us: the memory of those who died alone in suffering, concern for our loved ones and for us, concern for workers who cannot stop, health professionals, above all. We miss family, friends, socializing. Here in the building I live, I see a person or another, masked and with gloves, like me. We speak little, we cannot abuse. Suddenly, what we were so used to, talking, smiling freely, it is no longer possible. New times, other times. But the eyes speak, and also smile. And everything will pass, they use to say.

I went to the supermarket today. Like everyone else, I felt like I was in a movie, or in a dream, more precisely in a nightmare. It was hard to believe it was real. What overwhelmed my heart the most was the silence, a heavy silence that hung over everyone. It reminded me of a movie about flying monsters that attacked the Earth with ferocity. These monsters were guided by the noise. If they heard some noise, they went directly towards the person to attack. So, people came and went, they whispered, brought water, they lit the fire, ate, but in silence. I also remembered the silence of the monks, who in procession,walk praying in their hearts.

This virus, more than the others, bears the mark of loneliness, “it’s the loneliest of diseases”, words of Luigi Greco, in an interview for the magazine “Crusoé”. Luigi Greco is an Italian infectologist already retired, who was recruited to make up for the shortage of doctors in Salerno. He refers to Covid-19 as the most solitary of diseases. The person who is sick, is alone, isolated, cannot see anyone of the family. This isolation of the patient is an abandonment, but there is no alternative. It’s so sad.

My tribute and admiration to the 66 Italian doctors who died in the battle against the virus, also to the nurses, to all the professionals who were and who are involved. My admiration for the doctor woman who gave her cell phone to the dying patients so that they could say goodbye to their beloved families.

Without words, folks, without words. Even with the words here silently written, my eyes overflow, the tears speak for me.