Glimmers of light in the dark coronavirus tunnel – opinion
What is important is the country’s show of solidarity, a solidarity that uniquely arises in times of crisis.
By OREN SHPILMANA MAN disinfects stairs leading to the monument in honor of unknown soldiers at Piazza Venezia as Italy tightened measures to try and contain the spread of coronavirus, in Rome on Saturday.(photo credit: REUTERS)
The tunnel is vast and dark. Life under corona doesn’t allow for much light to enter. Stories upon stories are told - some true, some false - with misinformation spreading like wildfire, causing panic.As a shaliach (emissary) for the Jewish Agency and Hashomer Hatzair World Movement, stationed with my family in Rome, I’m filled with dread. When I read the news about the situation in Italy, I feel the urge to look upward and check that the sky is, in fact, not falling. Of the many stories I’ve read, some share useful information, but many spread fear of an upcoming apocalypse.Here in Italy, almost every day brings a new guideline or restriction. The authorities are doing their best to ensure residents stay at home. In northern Italy, the healthcare system is going through one of the most complicated and difficult periods ever known. Some hospitals are struggling to protect the medical staff and patients at the same time, finding themselves on the verge of collapse, and stories of tragedy abound.But there are also glimmers of light; stories of hope and optimism that must be heard, that may be able to correct this underlying message of doom that has overtaken us.There are no dead bodies lying in the streets. The country’s basic infrastructure continues to function. The supermarkets are well-stocked. Like the rest of the Western world, hand sanitizer is hard to come by because of initial widespread panic, but this is not important.What is important is the country’s show of solidarity, a solidarity that uniquely arises in times of crisis.Italian flags are hung from balconies. At noon every day, residents converge onto their balconies to cheer and support the country’s medical personnel during this trying time. These “balcony meetings” occur again at 6 p.m., during which Italians joyfully sing songs of optimism and resilience.The Jewish community has set up a hotline to address any problems that may arise. Community members volunteer their time to help the ones in need, and many activities have seamlessly transitioned to a digital platform.Since the outbreak of this virus, the Jewish Agency’s leadership has provided me and hundreds of emissaries worldwide with the professional tools needed to continue to be a resource to our communities in order to strengthen the strategic relationship between Israel and the Diaspora while interpersonal meetings are no longer possible. Together with Keren Hayesod-United Jewish Appeal, the Jewish Agency is in close contact with the Jewish community here to ensure its needs are met.We at Hashomer Hatzair maintain close contact with the Israeli leadership and, of course, hold regular meetings. Together with our madrichim (counselors) and instructors, we also keep in touch regularly by phone. We’ve also sent a message to all parents with practical tips for dealing with the difficulties of quarantined children at home.We have also offered our help to families who are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the quarantine. We conduct activities with our chanichim (pupils) and make sure to keep in constant contact with them as part of our deep commitment to them and to the values of the movement. My heart breaks for the people of Italy. But we have a lot to learn from their resilience, optimism and faith in the human spirit. We will get through this, or as they say in Italian: Tutto andrà bene!The writer is a shaliach (emissary) of the Jewish Agency and Hashomer Hatzair World Movement in Rome, Italy.
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