Today Italy marks the first day of national remembrance for the victims of COVID-19.  Flags are at half-mast at Italian public buildings. Italy’s COVID-19 death toll is over 103,000.

From this day on, March 18 will be an official annual occasion of remembrance for Italy’s victims of the coronavirus epidemic.

One year ago today,  the Italian army was required to organize a convoy of trucks to remove coffins from Bergamo, a city of extraordinary beauty, that together with its province was hardest hit by the first wave of coronavirus.  Bergamo’s funeral facilities were unable to cope with the enormity of the number of dead.

And here we are today.

Eleven regions as of this week are now under “red” warning, which means total lockdown.  One of these is Lazio, Rome’s region.  In “red” regions you may leave your home for essential shopping, work, health, prayer or solitary outdoor exercise.  Visiting friends and family is forbidden.

After several evenings’ hiatus, my Roman neighbor Giusi has since Monday returned to using her exceptionally noisy exercise bicycle at 8 PM, to coincide with the evening Telegiornale news program.  For a number of days, she was not doing so because she was at that hour delivering bags of dry good foodstuffs to her elderly mother, who does not go out.  Mostly tuna in olive oil, pasta, canned tomatoes, soups, long-life milk, beans and chickpeas —  “in quanto chi sa — cavolo ! — quando la rivedo.”   (“Who the hell knows when I will see her next !”).   Every morning she walks past with her old collie – dog walking is permitted – and makes a speedy, illegal detour to her mother’s apartment building, and when her mother answers the intercom, she darts in, calls the elevator, and places on the elevator floor a bag of fresh produce —  and is off.   “Mother had the first spring asparagus today.  She loved them but was very sad to be enjoying them all alone.  We talked on the telephone while she ate them.”

Mamma has been vaccinated.  My friend, who is in her 50s, has not.

Prime Minister Mario Draghi said Thursday that the delays in deliveries that have held back the COVID vaccination campaign are set to be made up for, at least in part.   Italy’s vaccination plan was also hit by uncertainty about AstraZeneca’s COVID vaccine, but that today appears to be resolved.

“The government is committed to doing the greatest number of vaccines possible in the shortest possible time,” Draghi said. “This is our priority.”

My friend Giocondo in Furore (Amalfi) is helping his neighbor Michelone plant his summer vegetable garden. Campania also is “red” but preparing the earth to plant the succulent piennolo tomatoes is work, so this is permitted.

On we go.

For my American friends and clients who love Italy, it is saddening to see how severely we now trail the US, where, nationwide, vaccinations are being produced, distributed and given at breakneck speed.

Italy will catch up.  I am certain that Giusi and I and all Italians will soon be vaccinated.

We know that you too have suffered during the COVID-19 epidemic.  To celebrate the light at the end of the tunnel, will you begin planning a stress-free, celebratory trip to Italy later this year or next?  Will you give a gift of planning to someone you love so they too can be joyful in Italy?