While Siena sleeps, Italians sing patriotic songs to defy COVID-19

Italians are playing live music from apartment blocks, keeping up each other's spirits during a government-imposed lockdown to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.

Hyderabad:Europe has now become the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, with countries imposing a cascade of restrictions in efforts to prevent their health systems collapsing under the load of cases. Schools, bars and shops not selling essential goods are among the facilities being closed in many places.

'Andra tutto bene' or 'Everything will be Alright'

Italy, the worst-hit European country, has reached a total of over 17,600 confirmed cases — the largest outbreak after China — with 1,266 deaths. The government in Rome has ordered an unprecedented lockdown, ordering businesses to close and restricting people's movement.

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However, the Italians are defying the pandemic via patriotic songs and opera. Internet is flooded with videos from various places in Italy, where people joined from the balconies to sing their lungs out in times of COVID-19 outbreak.

"People of my hometown Siena sing a popular song from their houses along an empty street to warm their hearts during the Italian lockdown," a Twitter user wrote.

Another Twitter user shared a video from Naples where in the people locked inside, turn to their windows and balconies singing "Abbracciame" which translates into "Hug me".

Mayors of many Italian cities, including Rome and Milan, decided to close public playgrounds and parks. Under a government decree issued earlier in the week, people had been allowed in parks as long as they kept at least a distance of 1 meter between each other.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.

(With inputs from AP)