Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Life in Italian lockdown
An Airdrie woman living in Milan has shared her experience as Italy begins to ease its lockdown restrictions.
Dawn Jane Keogh and daughter Sophia headed outdoors for the first time in 10 weeks as the country moves into a new phase of its coronavirus response.
She told of Italy’s new reality of face masks and social distancing, and how communicating with her family back home has been her “biggest strength”.
An Airdrie woman living in Milan has told of her experience in emerging from the stringent lockdown in Italy after 10 weeks indoors in the country’s battle against coronavirus.
Dawn Jane Keogh, who is originally from Cairnhill, finally headed outdoors with four-year-old daughter Sofia Grace earlier this month as her adopted home nation moved into the second phase of its social distancing response.
The primary teacher, life coach and fitness instructor said the renewed freedom is like being “given the eyes of a child”.
However, she says the tragedy of seeing tanks carrying away coffins was “the most traumatic moment” of the past three months, adding: “I never thought I would witness such a scene. Literally, the unimaginable happened.”
Dawn Jane first spoke to the Advertiser in March and told of the “surreal” situation in her adopted home – which has since become familiar here – describing restricted movement, deserted streets and rushes to buy groceries and disinfectant.
The country’s lockdown was eased on May 4 to allow limited movement and Dawn Jane is now adjusting to the country’s new reality.
She said: “Masks and gloves are mandatory or a £500 fine can be imposed, and people are respecting social distancing.
“Italy is such a tactile country, so it’s strange to see couples walking around a metre apart as opposed to the usual handin-hand stroll.
“It’s traditional to greet people we know with a kiss on each cheek, whereas now people are keeping their distance – it just seems so cold and alien to me after 10 years of living here.
“It’s strange to see people move around again – so many times people I know walk by and I don’t recognise them because of the masks.
“Phase two allows you to visit your family, but no friend visits; so it feels different for me compared to other people who have their family close by.”
Dawn Jane continued: “The most traumatic moment for me was when I saw tanks take all the coffins away to be cremated.
“My boss couldn’t even enter the ward where his mother was dying; my friend had to sit at home with her children while the nurse video-called to show her once-fit and active husband in a coma.
“I’ve lost count of how many people have lost their loved ones to this virus.”
She told how her family in Scotland have been her “biggest strength” and said: “I’ve never been more proud of them.
“My mum and auntie do weekly shop runs for my grandparents and get a chat with them through the window.
“My mum created a messenger group, so we all kept each other’s spirits up through that; Sofia Grace and I cannot wait to return to Scotland, but I still have no idea when that will be.”
Dawn Jane admitted that she “initially felt a little apprehensive” about the easing of restrictions, explaining: “I didn’t know what to expect and was also concerned that maybe a second wave would result.”
However, she added: “I’m not nervous about going outside any longer. During lockdown I researched and studied ways to improve the immune system, so I feel in great physical form and less anxious.
“I’m thrilled to be able to start jogging again. It’s challenging with a mask on but I’m getting used to it and just blessed to be outside again, and I feel like I’ve been given the eyes of a child – everything is just ‘wow’.
“Sofia Grace loved being able to use her scooter again and we had to adjust the bar higher as she’s grown.
“I never would have imagined my daughter and I enclosed in our home for 10 weeks – she was absolutely incredible, and for me, the children and parents at home during this should also be recognised as heroes.”
Teacher Dawn Jane has been providing online lessons for 150 children each week as well as ensuring Sofia Grace, who will be five next month, kept in touch with her teacher and friends as schools are not due to reopen until September.
With the country’s gyms scheduled to reopen on June 1, she is also preparing to run fitness sessions once again, in a workplace which also reflects the continuing fight against the spread of Covid-19.
She said: “We have sanitisation standards to adhere to and our gyms have been working on new procedures for the past six weeks.
“My career has blossomed in lockdown, ironically. For me, keeping busy helped ease that feeling of discomfort.
“I think the major aftermath in years to come will be the effects of trauma on health workers, parents at home and the children, and that this disaster has given everyone a wake-up call with regard to their health and mental wellbeing.
“This whole experience has definitely made people wiser and less superficial, and I’d strongly advise people to make their health and wellbeing a priority. No-one is immune to this virus.”