Boris Causes Reaction: "COVID -19 Rates High Because of The UK Being A Freedom Loving Nation".

Boris Johnson has always had a difficult relationship with Italy. Back in 2016, Boris said something, that didn't go down too well with the southern European nation. The statement was to do with Brexit and how Italy should react to it.

Now Boris has done it again, causing a barbed comment, from the Italian President, Sergio Mattarella. When it was pointed out to Boris, in parliament, that Germany and Italy had a low infection rate, Boris replied that the UK was a freedom-loving nation, hence the spike in COVID-19. The success of other European nations 'track and trace' system seems to be why these nations have lower infection/death rates.

The Italian President, replied immediately, to Boris' statement. Mr Mattarella, said, "We Italians, love freedom but also, care about seriousness".

Was Mr Mattarella suggesting Boris was not serious about the COVID epidemic in the UK? Was he suggesting Boris was being too flippant and too light-hearted about the extent of the COVID death and infection rate in the UK?

John Hopkins University in the US has also attacked Boris' handling of the COVID crisis. The much respected, education establishment, noted that the UK had the highest death rate in Europe, way ahead of Italy, Spain and France.

Certainly, Mr Mattarella and John Hopkins University may have a relevant point. The current spike in COVID and the one before lockdown is partly the government's fault. The government was warned in December last year, of the oncoming onslaught of COVID. But, at the time, the government didn't seem to take it seriously and then with Boris' landslide general election victory, COVID was of a low priority. Then, when the full horror of COVID became clear, the nation went into lockdown on 23 March 2020. When we came out of lockdown, the infection/death rates had decreased and life was able to return to some kind of normality. As well as being criticised for going into lockdown too late, others attacked the government, for coming out of lockdown too early. It is possible, that coming out of lockdown too early may have caused the current spike in COVID across the UK, now. However, irresponsible people gathering and not taking notice of wearing protective masks/shields, not social distancing, etc, are also to blame.

Of course, we all know the Italians love freedom and the chance to mingle. A chance to enjoy a meal, a glass of wine with family and friends. Italy was the first (or one of the first) European nations to be hit with COVID. A lot of the deaths/infections seemed to be mainly in the north of the country. Many Italians paid the price, mainly the old, the weak, etc. The nation was absolutely devastated and at its wit's end, as the virus destroyed, the entire fabric of Italian life. The strain on Italian culture, population, etc, was something that affected Italian people in a very severe way. Not only in deaths and infections but the fact that Italians had to learn to be standoffish. This was completely alien, to a people who love socialising, but, never the less they adapted. The Italian health service struggled under the weight of infections and deaths. Entire towns mainly, in the north of the country, were put on entire lockdown.

Italy has emerged from the COVID crisis, perhaps stronger and more able to deal with COVID. Obviously, things are not perfect, but the nation has evolved and adapted. COVID will remain in Italy a clear and present danger. However, it seems the nation has passed through the worst of the pandemic and looking to the future with hope.

Maybe, other nations in Europe, like Italy, Germany, Sweden, etc, could teach the UK a thing or two, about COVID. Maybe, if we had followed their models, we wouldn't be in the predicament that we are now.