«Because the authority they waited until today (yesterday, Friday 28 June, ed.) before warn us? Both my parents were sick for hours on Thursday and continued to use water as usual for hours. Why jeopardize the salute of the citizens? I am very angry, I didn’t feel protected at all and if I hadn’t gone to the pharmacy, I wouldn’t have known anything…”. Diana A. says «very angry» and, like Giovanni S., points the finger at the «late warning given to the population of Torri del Benaco» not to use drinkable water due to the risk of Norovirus. Emanuela P. also reports that already «on Thursday my partner went to the doctor for vomiting and feverand he learned that in Torri there are several cases like his and not to use the water before the causes are established”. Samantha L. nods: “I came home yesterday (Thursday, ed.) from the hospital with my 4 day old newborn, you will understand my apprehension. Luckily the neighbor warned me and I avoided using tap water, but my partner who was at home these days has dysentery and nausea.”
“The family has been ill for 10 days”
Mery R. reveals that «this situation has been going on for a while because in the family it is They’ve been going around for ten days and they’re sick». At Mr. Rinaldo P.’s house «my wife also has diarrhoea and stomach ache», while Emanuela P. confides that «today (yesterday, ed.) I feel very bad too… We first spoke to the doctor who told us to don’t use water, not even boiled! Don’t brush your teeth or even your vegetables. If I had known, I would have avoided getting sick. It takes more than two days to remove this type of poisoning from your body, and it is particularly dangerous for weak people…” Samantha L informs: “In the pharmacy they say there are several cases of gastroenteritis and diarrhea…” Francesca T. instead says that “my sister was in hospital and they made some for her drip. I called my GP and he gave me Biochetasi for nausea and lactic ferments. I’m already a little better. But today (yesterday, ed.) I’m going to get myself there stock of cases of water until they solve the problem…”.
Bottles in tourist accommodations
Mr. Adriano M. runs a accommodation: «In the pharmacy they say that half the country has intestinal problems… We are providing tourists with two little bottles of water and we recommend not using tap water”. Her colleague Renata K: “We are also notifying the new arrivals, but we don’t know how to behave with those expected in the next few days…”. Cristina C. instead remembers how “when there was Covid there was an ordinance for every little bullshit with lots of restrictions and isolations… Now that there is a real health emergency underway they are waiting to warn us… In the meantime people are getting sick and are being admitted to hospitals… Why not inform before that it was better as a precaution not to drink water?
How to behave
On social, the discontent of citizens is evident, as are the concerns and also the advice «porta a porta» on the behaviors to be adopted: the most popular are the «always valid precautions» of «doing stock up on water at the supermarket before it ends”, “to wash hands very well before touching the food”; «do not work and especially do not come into contact with food when you are unwell, especially if you suffer from gastroenteritis, and up to three days after recovery”; «wash and disinfect all materials and surfaces thoroughly (from tablecloths and napkins to aprons and work towels, up to utensils) that may have come into contact with an infected person and/or with the virus”; «use only certified sourced foodsespecially in the case of foods that are cooked little, such as seafood or fresh vegetables.”
How long will the emergency last?
But how long will the inconveniences last? A couple of months ago, when the same Norovirus alarm struck Step of the Tonal, in Lombardy, on 27 April the Municipality of Ponte di Legno revoked the ordinance, dated 10 April, which invited the population of the Passo Tonale hamlet to «not make drinking water after the discovery of traces of Norovirus in the samples taken from the aqueduct”. In that case, therefore, the emergency ended after just over two weeks: will it be like this also in Torri del Benaco?
