Italy harsh lockdown and now faces economic misery

This is the dilemma, Boris has a difficult job, yes we have to protect the vulnerable, but we can't ruin the economy, our children need a future, we need a solid plan out and can't afford any mistakes!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... shops.html

Families queue along the street outside Italian pawn shops, which have seen a 30% surge in customers since lockdown brought economic misery.

Italian pawn shops have seen a 30 per cent increase in customers since lockdown in the coronavirus-ravaged country was eased earlier this week.

Affide pawn shop, one of the largest pledge lenders in the country, said it has had to extend its opening hours after seeing a 30 per cent increase in customers since Italy lifted some of its lockdown measures on Monday.

People from all walks of life were queuing outside the company's flagship store in Rome, looking to swap their prized family jewellery for some much needed cash, Il Piccolo reported.

Luciana, 73, a retired grandmother, said she had come to the store with the family gold to help her son, offering two necklaces and a pair of pearl earrings, with the hopes she could drum up enough money so he could pay maintenance costs for his daughter.

His February salary has yet to surface and she said it doesn't seem to be coming any time soon, she added.

The 73-year-old is just able to cover her rent with her pension with a little left over to help her daughter, who is also in financial distress.

Giuseppe, 67, who was queuing outside a shop in Naples today told La Repubblica: 'I pawn a necklace otherwise I won't eat.'

'The government won't help,' he added.

A worker from the Genoese branch of Carige pawnshops said they were receiving calls from concerned citizens, asking them how the loans work and how much they can lend.

Another woman, who chose to remain anonymous, took a pendant that she said she held 'very dear' to another pawnshop, the Monte della Pieta in Rome, where she queued with dozens of others to get an estimate for her valuables.

A man in his thirties accompanied by his mother told Corriere: 'I haven't been working for two months.'

'I was employed in a bar that only reopened a few days ago.

'You [Mother] promised a chain, a memory of my father.

'I don't know where I'm going to end up.'

Another couple had come to the store in Rome to offer the jewellery from their daughter's communion.

'We don't even have our faiths anymore,' the husband said.

Pawnshops were closed across Italy during the country's nationwide lockdown, but their recent openings have seen customers surging to offer up the little they have.

Italy has been battered by the pandemic, both on a human and economic scale, and today became the third country in the world to record 30,000 deaths from the virus.

According to European Union estimates released Wednesday, Italy's public debt will hit almost 160 per cent of GDP this year and its economy will shrink by close to a tenth.

Despite the dreary forecasts, the country has been getting used to its 'new normal' with people pictured yesterday enjoying the outdoors after strict coronavirus lockdown measures were eased.

Laws which had forbidden Italians from leaving their houses without permits and restricted shopping to supermarkets were eased on Monday, allowing for people to travel within their regions and for markets to reopen.

Italians were pictured taking advantage of their hard-won freedoms on Thursday while socially distancing after Prime Minister Guiseppe Conte warned measures will come back if infections spike.

Families were pictured soaking up some sun on a near-deserted beach south of Rome, while markets in the Italian capital, Sicily and the hot-spot city of Milan all welcomed back customers.

In a further easing of measures, Conte announced that public Masses will restart from May 18 having been banned as part of his initial coronavirus lockdown measures on March 10.

Today, the country's death toll rose above 30,000 after the reporting of 243 new fatalities compared with a daily tally of 274 the day before.

Italy's total death toll from COVID-19 since its outbreak came to light on 21 February now stands at 30,201, the Civil Protection Agency said. Only the United States and Britain have seen more deaths from the virus.

The daily number of new infections fell slightly to 1,327 from 1,401 yesterday, taking the total of confirmed cases since the epidemic began to 217,185, the third highest global tally behind those of the United States and Spain.

People registered as currently carrying the illness in Italy fell to 87,961 from 89,624 the day before.

There were 1,168 people in intensive care on Friday against 1,311 on Thursday, maintaining a long-running decline. Of those originally infected, 99,023 were declared recovered against 96,276 a day earlier.

The agency said 1.609 million people had been tested for the virus against 1.564 million the day before, out of a population of around 60 million.

The world banks need to wipe any debt incurred by countries during this pandemic . Tiffany they dont then this will take decades together over

This is the dilemma, Boris has a difficult job, yes we have to protect the vulnerable, but we can't ruin the economy, our children need a future, we need a solid plan out and can't afford any mistakes!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... shops.html

Families queue along the street outside Italian pawn shops, which have seen a 30% surge in customers since lockdown brought economic misery.

Italian pawn shops have seen a 30 per cent increase in customers since lockdown in the coronavirus-ravaged country was eased earlier this week.

Affide pawn shop, one of the largest pledge lenders in the country, said it has had to extend its opening hours after seeing a 30 per cent increase in customers since Italy lifted some of its lockdown measures on Monday.

People from all walks of life were queuing outside the company's flagship store in Rome, looking to swap their prized family jewellery for some much needed cash, Il Piccolo reported.

Luciana, 73, a retired grandmother, said she had come to the store with the family gold to help her son, offering two necklaces and a pair of pearl earrings, with the hopes she could drum up enough money so he could pay maintenance costs for his daughter.

His February salary has yet to surface and she said it doesn't seem to be coming any time soon, she added.

The 73-year-old is just able to cover her rent with her pension with a little left over to help her daughter, who is also in financial distress.

Giuseppe, 67, who was queuing outside a shop in Naples today told La Repubblica: 'I pawn a necklace otherwise I won't eat.'

'The government won't help,' he added.

A worker from the Genoese branch of Carige pawnshops said they were receiving calls from concerned citizens, asking them how the loans work and how much they can lend.

Another woman, who chose to remain anonymous, took a pendant that she said she held 'very dear' to another pawnshop, the Monte della Pieta in Rome, where she queued with dozens of others to get an estimate for her valuables.

A man in his thirties accompanied by his mother told Corriere: 'I haven't been working for two months.'

'I was employed in a bar that only reopened a few days ago.

'You [Mother] promised a chain, a memory of my father.

'I don't know where I'm going to end up.'

Another couple had come to the store in Rome to offer the jewellery from their daughter's communion.

'We don't even have our faiths anymore,' the husband said.

Pawnshops were closed across Italy during the country's nationwide lockdown, but their recent openings have seen customers surging to offer up the little they have.

Italy has been battered by the pandemic, both on a human and economic scale, and today became the third country in the world to record 30,000 deaths from the virus.

According to European Union estimates released Wednesday, Italy's public debt will hit almost 160 per cent of GDP this year and its economy will shrink by close to a tenth.

Despite the dreary forecasts, the country has been getting used to its 'new normal' with people pictured yesterday enjoying the outdoors after strict coronavirus lockdown measures were eased.

Laws which had forbidden Italians from leaving their houses without permits and restricted shopping to supermarkets were eased on Monday, allowing for people to travel within their regions and for markets to reopen.

Italians were pictured taking advantage of their hard-won freedoms on Thursday while socially distancing after Prime Minister Guiseppe Conte warned measures will come back if infections spike.

Families were pictured soaking up some sun on a near-deserted beach south of Rome, while markets in the Italian capital, Sicily and the hot-spot city of Milan all welcomed back customers.

In a further easing of measures, Conte announced that public Masses will restart from May 18 having been banned as part of his initial coronavirus lockdown measures on March 10.

Today, the country's death toll rose above 30,000 after the reporting of 243 new fatalities compared with a daily tally of 274 the day before.

Italy's total death toll from COVID-19 since its outbreak came to light on 21 February now stands at 30,201, the Civil Protection Agency said. Only the United States and Britain have seen more deaths from the virus.

The daily number of new infections fell slightly to 1,327 from 1,401 yesterday, taking the total of confirmed cases since the epidemic began to 217,185, the third highest global tally behind those of the United States and Spain.

People registered as currently carrying the illness in Italy fell to 87,961 from 89,624 the day before.

There were 1,168 people in intensive care on Friday against 1,311 on Thursday, maintaining a long-running decline. Of those originally infected, 99,023 were declared recovered against 96,276 a day earlier.

The agency said 1.609 million people had been tested for the virus against 1.564 million the day before, out of a population of around 60 million.

Hard to see how they will recover, particularly if all the small cafes and restaurants can’t open again properly? No tourists either? Families co habit a lot over there, hard to isolate the vulnerable.

Best get used to it as this could be what's coming to the UK over the next few months

Best get used to it as this could be what's coming to the UK over the next few months

Is that right...or have the Government dealt with this in as even way as is humanly possible when you take all social, economic and logistical aspects into account?

I don't now the answer; but then again, I'm not predicting what will happen as if it's fact

Best get used to it as this could be what's coming to the UK over the next few months

Is that right...or have the Government dealt with this in as even way as is humanly possible when you take all social, economic and logistical aspects into account?

I don't now the answer; but then again, I'm not predicting what will happen as if it's fact

That' why I said "could be" what's coming - try reading the post properly.

Nobody knows the answer.

Best get used to it as this could be what's coming to the UK over the next few months

Is that right...or have the Government dealt with this in as even way as is humanly possible when you take all social, economic and logistical aspects into account?

I don't now the answer; but then again, I'm not predicting what will happen as if it's fact

there are already jobs lost mate. and although ive generally been a supporter of the government over this.. how can paying someone normally on min wage 80% while also paying someone who earns double that 80% be fair ? some have had no hardship others are on the floor..

Best get used to it as this could be what's coming to the UK over the next few months

Is that right...or have the Government dealt with this in as even way as is humanly possible when you take all social, economic and logistical aspects into account?

I don't now the answer; but then again, I'm not predicting what will happen as if it's fact

there are already jobs lost mate. and although ive generally been a supporter of the government over this.. how can paying someone normally on min wage 80% while also paying someone who earns double that 80% be fair ? some have had no hardship others are on the floor..

The government has messed up the furlough and grant schemes from the start. ( although it's a great gesture and they didnt have to do it like other countries)

I know a guy with 7 holiday lets around the south west and west wales who has recieved the 10k payment for each as they are all different businesses which pay rates. He is a millionaire who does not need the money in any way. Those let's would normally make that amount in a year let alone 3 months. He is laughing his head off and still taking bookings even now ready for the relax of rules


On the other hand I know at least 20 small businesses who are one the floor and not entitled to a single penny even though they pay a hell of a lot of tax because they do not have a business premises or they rent privately.

It's a joke of a system that only looks after the rich

Best get used to it as this could be what's coming to the UK over the next few months

Is that right...or have the Government dealt with this in as even way as is humanly possible when you take all social, economic and logistical aspects into account?

I don't now the answer; but then again, I'm not predicting what will happen as if it's fact

there are already jobs lost mate. and although ive generally been a supporter of the government over this.. how can paying someone normally on min wage 80% while also paying someone who earns double that 80% be fair ? some have had no hardship others are on the floor..

The government has messed up the furlough and grant schemes from the start. ( although it's a great gesture and they didnt have to do it like other countries)

I know a guy with 7 holiday lets around the south west and west wales who has recieved the 10k payment for each as they are all different businesses which pay rates. He is a millionaire who does not need the money in any way. Those let's would normally make that amount in a year let alone 3 months. He is laughing his head off and still taking bookings even now ready for the relax of rules


On the other hand I know at least 20 small businesses who are one the floor and not entitled to a single penny even though they pay a hell of a lot of tax because they do not have a business premises or they rent privately.

It's a joke of a system that only looks after the rich

I think the furlough scheme should have been that everyone gets min wage...
and the 10k...not nearly enough thought went into that.. I agree it was sort of heart in the right place policies but in all honesty you would think a government would be aware one size doesn't fit all and there would be loads falling through the cracks.. had they been less generous with the first wave of hand outs they would probably be able to fix other peoples problems..

Best get used to it as this could be what's coming to the UK over the next few months

Is that right...or have the Government dealt with this in as even way as is humanly possible when you take all social, economic and logistical aspects into account?

I don't now the answer; but then again, I'm not predicting what will happen as if it's fact

there are already jobs lost mate. and although ive generally been a supporter of the government over this.. how can paying someone normally on min wage 80% while also paying someone who earns double that 80% be fair ? some have had no hardship others are on the floor..

The government has messed up the furlough and grant schemes from the start. ( although it's a great gesture and they didnt have to do it like other countries)

I know a guy with 7 holiday lets around the south west and west wales who has recieved the 10k payment for each as they are all different businesses which pay rates. He is a millionaire who does not need the money in any way. Those let's would normally make that amount in a year let alone 3 months. He is laughing his head off and still taking bookings even now ready for the relax of rules


On the other hand I know at least 20 small businesses who are one the floor and not entitled to a single penny even though they pay a hell of a lot of tax because they do not have a business premises or they rent privately.

It's a joke of a system that only looks after the rich

I think the furlough scheme should have been that everyone gets min wage...
and the 10k...not nearly enough thought went into that.. I agree it was sort of heart in the right place policies but in all honesty you would think a government would be aware one size doesn't fit all and there would be loads falling through the cracks.. had they been less generous with the first wave of hand outs they would probably be able to fix other peoples problems..

I would have thought it be easier and cheaper to just pay people's Bill's rather than give them thousands of pounds.

A lot of outgoings are taxes anyway and paying rent/mortgages would be easy enough as they are set amounts which are contracted so could not be fiddled. Credit card/ loan payments could be deferred and then put everyone on universal credit.
It would have saved billions

Best get used to it as this could be what's coming to the UK over the next few months

Is that right...or have the Government dealt with this in as even way as is humanly possible when you take all social, economic and logistical aspects into account?

I don't now the answer; but then again, I'm not predicting what will happen as if it's fact

there are already jobs lost mate. and although ive generally been a supporter of the government over this.. how can paying someone normally on min wage 80% while also paying someone who earns double that 80% be fair ? some have had no hardship others are on the floor..

well said.

Best get used to it as this could be what's coming to the UK over the next few months

Is that right...or have the Government dealt with this in as even way as is humanly possible when you take all social, economic and logistical aspects into account?

I don't now the answer; but then again, I'm not predicting what will happen as if it's fact

there are already jobs lost mate. and although ive generally been a supporter of the government over this.. how can paying someone normally on min wage 80% while also paying someone who earns double that 80% be fair ? some have had no hardship others are on the floor..

The government has messed up the furlough and grant schemes from the start. ( although it's a great gesture and they didnt have to do it like other countries)

I know a guy with 7 holiday lets around the south west and west wales who has recieved the 10k payment for each as they are all different businesses which pay rates. He is a millionaire who does not need the money in any way. Those let's would normally make that amount in a year let alone 3 months. He is laughing his head off and still taking bookings even now ready for the relax of rules


On the other hand I know at least 20 small businesses who are one the floor and not entitled to a single penny even though they pay a hell of a lot of tax because they do not have a business premises or they rent privately.

It's a joke of a system that only looks after the rich

Are you sure about that ? - how was he running his business ?

Govt are offering loans (which need to be paid back to Landlords.
Are you saying he has been given money for the loss of holiday rentals ? - as far as I know - the Govt arent offering this.
https://www.pkf-francisclark.co.uk/coro ... -covid-19/

I'd be keen to know what he applied for and got

Best get used to it as this could be what's coming to the UK over the next few months

Is that right...or have the Government dealt with this in as even way as is humanly possible when you take all social, economic and logistical aspects into account?

I don't now the answer; but then again, I'm not predicting what will happen as if it's fact

None of us here are experts - not even the Government/governments are experts, the majority of Countries are being led by models produced by experts who have a track record in getting things completely wrong. There's a strong consensus among many reputable experts that the 'lockdowns' in Countries haven't actually had any significant effect - the UK's 'peak' for example was on April 8th - just two weeks after the start of the lockdown. Spain and Italy have had severe restrictions in place for longer than most yet have close to the worst case records. The UK economy is going to go into a depression, but Spain and Italy ? Heaven knows..

Best get used to it as this could be what's coming to the UK over the next few months

Is that right...or have the Government dealt with this in as even way as is humanly possible when you take all social, economic and logistical aspects into account?

I don't now the answer; but then again, I'm not predicting what will happen as if it's fact

None of us here are experts - not even the Government/governments are experts, the majority of Countries are being led by models produced by experts who have a track record in getting things completely wrong. There's a strong consensus among many reputable experts that the 'lockdowns' in Countries haven't actually had any significant effect - the UK's 'peak' for example was on April 8th - just two weeks after the start of the lockdown. Spain and Italy have had severe restrictions in place for longer than most yet have close to the worst case records. The UK economy is going to go into a depression, but Spain and Italy ? Heaven knows..

I agree
people keep banging on about lockdowns...should have been earlier / harder and now should last longer. … where is the evidence ?
Italy . Spain , Germany , UK, France , Belgium , Netherlands... all had higher amounts of new cases and more deaths per day yesterday than their pre lockdown figures..


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