COVID-19 and its Socio-Economic and Psychological Impacts on Italy

Abstract

The global outbreak of Corona virus (COVID-19) spread rapidly in early 2020. In the initial stages, Italy became the second-hardest hit country in the world, only after the US, despite aggressive containment efforts by the its government. The fatality rate was mainly high among old-age patients. The underlined response by the Italian government amid COVID-19 was the desperate need of the hour; and so far, the best method known to contain the threat of transmission is by social distancing, self-isolation, and a nationwide lockdown. The ongoing global crisis has caused a great strain on the socio-economic position of the country and pushed it further into a recession like many other countries across the globe. COVID-19 has not only damaged the Italian economy but has severely crippled its public healthcare system as well. Apart from studying the outbreak of COVID-19 in Italy, the paper examines the response of the Italian government when there was a spike in the number of cases. The paper then outlines the precautionary measures and actions taken by the government to contain the outbreak as well as study the socio-economic and psychological impact of COVID-19 on Italian population, and how one of the most advanced healthcare systems in the world failed to cope with the situation. Italy being the hardest hit European country, in addition to some others, was indeed one of the top frontline countries in Europe to take prominent action in containing it.