New Englander in Italy Gives Advice on Face Covering During Coronavirus — LIVE
Sunday, April 05, 2020
Connecticut native Rebecca Couto da Silva appeared on GoLocal LIVE from Balzano, Italy where she talked about the recent directives in Italy that residents need to cover their faces in public due to the coronavirus crisis.
On Friday, Rhode Island officials advised that residents wear “face coverings” when out — but not medical grade face masks, including N95 masks in short supply — and needed by health professionals.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“When we go outside and we’re near another person, we have to have our nose and mouth covered. They’re actually distributing neck warmers instead of face masks,” said da Silva of life in Balzano. “A neck warmer is more convenient in some ways, so for example you go in a store to buy something. you’ve got to cover.”
“It’s been implemented since Monday,” said da Silva of the face-covering directive. “When I went to go on Tuesday to the baker, I actually had a neck warmer - but then they told the next customer you need to cover.”
“Mine’s going to be too hot in a couple weeks — so they are handing them out everywhere,” she said. “I got a bright red one, the other woman got a bright yellow one. I think it’s kind of nice, because you see it and, hey, here’s my protection and there’s less enforcement.”
“I think the point is also if it is visible and if people are abiding by it, you can pull it down when you’re alone and not in a very populated place and pull it up when its visible,” she said.
“There needs to be less enforcement action because you know that energy could be directed in a more productive way. It’s better if people follow the rules and human resources can be used in more positive ways.”
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