Over 100 scientists have signed a
petition sent to President Sergio Mattarella and Premier
Giuseppe Conte calling on the government to adopt drastic
measures within the next two or three days to combat the spread
of COVID-19
Italy has seen a sharp rise in contagion and registered over
16,000 new cases and 136 deaths on Thursday.
"As scientists, researchers and university professors, we feel
it necessary and urgent to express our profound concern about
the current phase of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic," read
the appeal, referring to estimates by physicist Giorgio Parisi
that the doubling of deaths each week could soon lead to Italy
having 400-500 coronavirus deaths a day.
The petition said it would be wrong to delay taking action out
of fear of the impact on the economy.
"Taking effective steps now is necessary to protect the economy
and jobs," it said, arguing that the impact of the coronavirus
will be even bigger if infection gets totally out of control.
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