Italy eases lockdown, U.S. lifts some restrictions

Italy started stirring Monday, with millions of people allowed to return to work as Europe’s longest coronavirus lockdown began to ease, while the U.S. took halting steps to lift some restrictions even as tens of thousands of new cases were reported every day.

Dozens of people in Florida were waiting before sunrise for the 7 a.m. opening of Clearwater Beach. Louisiana lawmakers were also restarting their legislature — even as they feuded over whether they should return at all.

Republican legislators irritated by Democratic Gov. John Bel

Edwards’ decision to extend the state’s stay-at-home order through May 15 were eager to return to work.

But Democrats saw things differently: “It could be a devastating blow to the strides made and to the safety of our residents, our staff and members if we returned to business as usual prematurely,” Democratic leaders wrote in a letter.

The moves to open U.S. states came even as the country’s oneday death toll stood at 1,313 with more than 25,500 confirmed new infections, according to a Sunday count by Johns Hopkins University. The real numbers are likely significantly higher.

Governments around the world have reported 3.5 million infections and more than 253,000 deaths as of Monday, including more than 68,000 dead in the United States, according to Johns Hopkins University. Deliberately concealed outbreaks, low testing rates and the severe strain the disease has placed on health care systems mean the true scale of the pandemic is undoubtedly much greater.

Italy, the first European country hit by the pandemic and a nation with one of the world’s highest death tolls, began opening up cautiously after its two-month shutdown. In all, 4.4 million Italians were able to return to work.

“It’s something that brings happiness and joy, and people have been missing that these days,” vendor Stefano Fulvi said. He doesn’t expect to break even anytime soon, “but you have to take the risk at some point.”

In Florida, where Gov. Ron DeSantis said restaurants and retail shops could open at 25% capacity beginning Monday, some business owners were unsure how to see things.

Tony Loeffler, the owner of Atlas Body and Home, a men’s apparel and lifestyle shop in downtown St. Petersburg, said he was both apprehensive and excited.

“We feel like we have to do this, even though we feel a little conflicted,” he said. “But we’re practicing all the common sense and CDC requirements so I feel like on our end we’re safe. But it’s so hard to know how everyone else is, how seriously they’re taking it.”