Deaf Italians describe country-wide lockdown
THE DAILY MOTH:
Italy was one of the first countries to order a full country lockdown in response to the coronavirus. “The Daily Moth” reporter Callie Frye reached out to two deaf Italians to describe the lockdown and how it has affected them as deaf individuals.
Text: When was the lockdown imposed?
ANTONIA SARACENO:
Everybody in Italy stays at home. In the north of Italy, they have been on lockdown for a long while since last month February until now. And for southern Italy, it began March this month because the Italian government has decided it is best to impose a national quarantine.
Text: Are police outside to enforce the quarantine?
ANTONIA SARACENO:
We do have police present on the streets. They make sure people do not go out for non-essential reasons. If one gets caught, police will give a 200 euros fine. When someone breaks the rule repeatedly, they will be put under house arrest for 3 months. What about essential errands such as grocery shopping, banking and others? You have to print a form called “auto-certification” from the internet and check out the boxes for essential errands you plan to do. You must carry the form with you at all times when you go out and run errands. Police will take a look at your form and honor your permission to go out.
BIAGIO PASSARELLI:
After I learned about emergency announcements, I immediately went out for grocery shopping the next day because I have a family, especially a baby. I drove back home after grocery shopping and saw a lot of police cars on the streets as police are strictly enforcing nationwide quarantine. Police were asking people, including myself, what are we doing outside? I had to show the form as a proof I am not shopping for a single person and that we are a family of three. The Italian government has a form for people to print out a form and fill out preventing people to go outside for non-essential errands. Police will check forms and sign them making sure people go out for grocery shopping, visiting pharmacy stores to pick up medications and to go to work. That is it.
Text: Are news accessible for deaf Italians?
BIAGIO PASSARELLI:
On March 10, I remember that evening where I was having a meal with friends and we were socializing. Suddenly, we saw breaking news on television from our high level government imposing emergency and urgent orders. You know the orders such as keeping a 1 meter distance from people, staying at home, not allowed to go out for non-essential errands and others. During that news announcements, there was no picture in picture sign language interpreter and captions. Many Deaf people in the community were outraged by that and then sent a lot of emails demanding communication access. After that, they apologized and since now they have been providing communication access. Their very first news announcement didn’t have sign language interpreters and captions, though.
ANTONIA SARACENO:
Yes, we have access to the announcements from Italian government and press conferences with both sign language interpreters and captions. Thanks to our Deaf organization here in Italy who have already urged them to provide access. Before that, we would receive important announcements from government but they forgot about Deaf people. There were no captions and sign language interpreters. Our Deaf organization as well as Deaf community sent a lot of emails demanding them to provide access. However, in Italy, we never have seen a picture in picture sign language interpreter on television. We are fortunate to receive plenty information on coronavirus in Italian Sign Language (LIS) plus we have sign language interpreters who would hear news then interpret the information in LIS on Facebook. I applaud them for doing that every day!
Text: Are you affected or know someone who was affected by coronavirus?
BIAGIO PASSARELLI:
Unfortunately yes, my friend’s friend’s friend has been infected with coronavirus. They shared about their experience and it was very difficult. They are gasping for air and have serious breathing issues so they rely on an oxygen ventilator. It is heartbreaking.
THE DAILY MOTH:
Thank you, Callie and Antonia and Biagio for sharing.