Coronavirus: Liberty doesn't include the right to make others ill says Mattarella - English

Authored by ansa.it and submitted by Massimo24ore

(ANSA) - ROME, 31 LUG - President Sergio Mattarella recalled the thousands of Italians who have died because of COVID-19 on Friday and warned against lowering the guard with respect to the coronavirus.

Speaking at the traditional 'fan ceremony' before parliament's summer recess, the head of State recalled that "four months ago over 800 of our compatriots died in just one day" due to COVID-19.

"This is a reason for us to not lower out defences," he said.

"Learning to live with the virus does not mean behaving like it no longer exists".

He said it was necessary to continue with precautions to combat the spread of the virus, such as social distancing, the use of facemasks in enclosed spaces and frequent hand washing.

"One must not confuse liberty with the right to make others ill," he said.

The president thanked the countries that aided Italy at the peak of the coronavirus emergency here He also called for the billions of euros Italy will have access to thanks to the EU Recovery Fund to be used wisely.

"We Italians are called on to do our part and use the resources within the sphere of a fast, concrete and effective programme," he said. (ANSA).

Leasir on August 3rd, 2020 at 12:15 UTC »

There is not much in Italian politics that we can be proud of, but Mattarella is a welcomed exception.

inkihh on August 3rd, 2020 at 11:34 UTC »

Your freedom ends where someone else's starts.

Edit: Colliding rights have to be weighed against each other.

Edit: Part of the weighing process is to think about probabilities of certain consequences, and their impact.

Massimo24ore on August 3rd, 2020 at 10:56 UTC »

ANSA) - ROME, 31 LUG - President Sergio Mattarella recalled the thousands of Italians who have died because of COVID-19 on Friday and warned against lowering the guard with respect to the coronavirus. Speaking at the traditional 'fan ceremony' before parliament's summer recess, the head of State recalled that "four months ago over 800 of our compatriots died in just one day" due to COVID-19. "This is a reason for us to not lower out defences," he said. "Learning to live with the virus does not mean behaving like it no longer exists". He said it was necessary to continue with precautions to combat the spread of the virus, such as social distancing, the use of facemasks in enclosed spaces and frequent hand washing. "One must not confuse liberty with the right to make others ill," he said.