Toni Brancatisano
Rome, Lazio
Melbourne-born Toni Brancatisano has lived in Italy since 1998, spending 15 years in Tuscany before moving to Rome.
She is a food stylist, food blogger, TV host and caterer.
She also works as a food tour guide, offering private and specialised food and shopping tours, and is a brand ambassador for the Italian baking and cake decoration brand, Mamì.
What’s it like being under complete lockdown?
I don’t think we even imagined this would happen 10 days ago.
At first it was surreal, then they started closing the cinemas, gyms, theatres etc. and restaurants and bars had to be closed by 6:00 pm.
Reality hit when we got news that the whole country was going into lockdown, with all commercial business closing except for supermarkets, pharmacies and public offices.
It’s like walking around in a sci-fi film.
I wish I could grab my camera and photograph all the sites void of people ... but I risk a heavy fine.
If I do go outside, it’s just to do the food shopping; we can walk the dog but only close to home.
For me, it’s sad and depressing because I work in tourism and I have no idea when I’ll be able to work again.
Have there been cases of panic buying and empty shelves in supermarkets near you?
I haven’t seen anything missing on the shelves of stores.
The government has said many times that we aren’t to panic and bulk buy and that supermarkets would be re-stocked as per usual.
We line up in an orderly fashion, keeping at least a metre’s distance from each other, and wait our turn to go in.
At the entrance of the supermarket they give you gloves, if you aren’t already wearing them.
We’ve seen many videos of Italians singing and celebrating from their balconies amid the lockdown. Is this happening in your street?
There are some wonderful neighbourhoods here in Rome where people are singing and having street parties from their windows.
We applaud at midday for the health workers and police ... it’s all very emotional and lifts morale.
My friend has an opera singer in her courtyard and he sings every evening at 6:00 pm.
What advice do you have for Australians who may face a similar situation soon?
Follow the rules and stay calm ... but you must follow the rules.
People need to realise that the more everyone cooperates, the quicker the lockdown will end.
More importantly, it’s only through everybody adhering to the strict restrictions that we can hope to contain the spread of this highly contagious virus.
Giuseppe Randazzo
Catania, Sicily
Giuseppe Randazzo is a 27-year-old data engineer who grew up in the Sicilian town of San Cono and is currently living in Catania.
What’s it like being under complete lockdown?
Catania – like every city – is a ghost town.
Last week I tried to go outside but I was stopped by the police.
They told me to go home otherwise I risked facing a penalty.
I am alone here in Catania and I can’t even see my neighbour ... we’ve been talking from the balcony.
I can’t go home to my family because I was working up until last week and, though there were lots of safety measures in place, I’m scared I could put my elderly grandparents at risk.
Despite what’s happening, I feel extremely proud of my country because it hasn’t spoken about “herd immunity” and nonsense of this nature ... but it’s doing its best to take care of its citizens effectively, putting our interests first.
I’m also extremely appreciative of the doctors working gruelling shifts and putting themselves at risk for the greater good.
Have there been cases of panic buying and empty shelves in stores near you?
The supermarkets are always full but only a few people are allowed in at once.
We have to walk in a line and stay a certain distance from one another.
I decided to do a big shop because the restrictions and lines mean it can take at least two hours to get everything you need.
We’ve seen many videos of Italians singing and celebrating from their balconies amid the lockdown. Is this happening in your street?
I live in a building with lots of elderly people, but the building opposite me has been participating [in the celebrations].
My sister lives in Turin and she’s seen a lot of this.
What advice do you have for Australians who may face a similar situation soon?
Don’t be selfish.
I’m not self-isolating because I’m scared for myself; I’m scared for my loved ones who are more vulnerable.
Don’t panic but be aware; it’s not just “little more than a flu” as some people have suggested.
Our problem is that some selfish people wanted to return home, causing a widespread outbreak that could’ve been avoided.
I’m starting to see a lot of cooperation now, but this should’ve happened sooner ... and I’m not talking about the government, I’m talking about the general public.
Finally, keep your eyes open and, as the banners on balconies across Italy say: “Everything will be all right.”
Alessandro Digiacomo
Milan, Lombardy
Alessandro Digiacomo is a 31-year-old Italo-Australian originally from Sydney, who first moved to Milan in 2019 and returned to the northern Italian city – which is at the epicentre of the outbreak – this February, when the first cases began appearing.
What’s it like being under complete lockdown?
It’s ominous and quiet.
Since I arrived here we’ve been experiencing restrictions and these restrictions gradually became stricter, eventually turning into a full lockdown.
In short, people are very worried but most seem willing to stick out the quarantine to help to improve the situation.
There is a nice sense of unity [within the community] and people seem to be willing to work through this lockdown to help others in Italy.
Nothing takes away from the fact though that this pandemic is at the forefront of their minds.
At the beginning, my biggest concern was not being able to work, but now it’s not knowing how long it will take for the situation to calm down.
Have there been cases of panic buying and empty shelves in stores near you?
No, there haven’t.
I advise people to be considerate of others and if Australia does go into lockdown, supermarkets will most likely remain open, meaning there is no need to hoard.
We’ve seen many videos of Italians singing and celebrating from their balconies amid the lockdown. Is this happening in your street?
Yes, it happens in my condominium.
It’s beautiful to see people thanking the health professionals from their balconies.
What advice do you have for Australians who may face a similar situation soon?
Be hygienic and sensible.
If at home, stay calm, read, train and do things around the house.
Be good to your neighbours – here, there is a beautiful sense of community and people are respecting each other and coming together.
Once you get home from being out, wash your hands and then you can relax.
Also, wipe your phone.
Alessandro Digiacomo is sharing daily videos documenting life under lockdown on his Instagram profile.
