Last night we went out to dinner! This is a rare occurrence. Instigated by Joseph and Paul. There were 6 of us, all the Americani in the Centro of Umbertide. We wanted to support a local restaurant, Appennino . It is just steps from our door. And we overlook their dining terrace from our own terrace.
Laura, the proprietor, has been trapped in Cuba, of all places, since Lockdown. She has an apartment there. She only got back a few weeks ago. She has re-opened her restaurant. She says she has good business so far. The terrace out back is a wonderful place and being outside it is good for distancing. But she canât find any Italiani to help. Weird to me. With all the unemployment and bad economy here, youâd think people would want the work. Right now it is just her, and her mom working.
Anyway, we had a nice meal and great (and amusing) conversation. It was damn hot, even outside after sunset. We mostly had lite meals. Most had a pasta for second courses except for one pizza. For apperitivi: two had a nice carpaccio. Two had buratta with guacamole, or pesto and prosciutto, and one got a beautiful shrimp tartar.
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I figure you all know how I feel about how this damn virus has been handled in the US. And it gets worse. People just want consistent and coherent leadership in times of crisis. When they get conflicting information it makes them anxious and suspicious. And they donât know WHAT to believe. It seems like it should be simple…
This, from The NY Times…
Why is the U.S. enduring a far more severe virus outbreak than any other rich country?
There are multiple causes, but one of them is the size and strength of right-wing media organizations that frequently broadcast falsehoods. The result is confusion among many Americans about scientific facts that are widely accepted, across the political spectrum, in other countries.
Canada, Japan and much of Europe have no equivalent to Sinclair â whose local newscasts reach about 40 percent of Americans â or Fox News. Germany and France have widely read blogs that promote conspiracy theories. âBut none of them have the reach and the funding of Fox or Sinclair,â Monika Pronczuk, a Times reporter based in Europe, told me.
Fox is particularly important, because it has also influenced President Trumpâs response to the virus, which has been slower and less consistent than that of many other world leaders. âTrump repeatedly failed to act to tame the spread, even though that would have helped him politically,âThe Washington Postâs Greg Sargent has written.
And donât get me going on the masks. It is the simplest way to get this virus under control. This is proven in multiple countries. Does the US want to get back to work? Do they want the economy to recover, jobs to return, kids to go to safely back to school, life to return to our new normal? Then. Wear. The. Damn. Mask. Period. Itâs not hard.
I know many of you want to come visit Italy. And Italy wants Americans back in Italy. To enjoy la dolce vita with us. The beauty that is here. And I, for one, would like to travel to the US without worrying about catching the virus. Letâs go people! You have a job to do…just like we did here in Italy.
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Rant over. Sometimes I just have to. Sorry. Please stay safe miei amici…đ
Lynn,
Totally disagree. The âincentivesâ have stopped and still people are not going to work. If the restaurants would pay a good wage they wouldnât have this problem. Itâs because restaurants in the US paid around $1.50 an hour and relied in tips from patrons to pay their employees wages. Use the European model. Pay them a living wage, give them benefits, then they wouldnât have a shortage of staff. Raise prices of the meals, add a service charge. Like here in Italy. It works here, it will work there.
Well now we see the new ” leadership” has made a welfare state with all the ” incentives” and no one wants to work.Although restaurants are having to close due to lack of staff.
I know. I will stop saying anything. đ
Unfortunately, youâre preaching to the choir because I suspect few people who refuse to wear masks or are gathering in crowds read your blog on life in Italy. Most of them are not very aware of anything beyond their circle of family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances and their local surroundings.
Thanks. The dinner was nice. Sometimes I do vent on my blog. Believe me…I try to limit it! đ and some people donât like it. So I try not to do it often. I just love the US and wish it could get it together to fight this virus.
Makes me very sad.
Looks like a great dinner Nancy and not going to say anything more than i agree with you. We had my homemade chicken meatballs with my homemade tomato sauce. I’d like to think it’s almost as good as what you get in Italy. Ciao!
They interviewed a doctor on the news last night who said he is fighting two battles, the first against the virus, and the second against stupidity! Sums it up nicely!
I worry about the lack of diversity of the news the majority of the US gets. We have one power and thatâs our vote. Make sure you vote!
Itâs was a lovely meal.
I donât feel Iâm being political. I care deeply about my country and I worry about my friends and family. I wish for everyone to get on board LIKE WE DID HERE IN ITALY, and work together to stop this virus. Then the US can heal, and the economy can restart, life in the US can return to a semblance of normality. And US citizens can again travel to Italy. I donât talk often about it, but I feel itâs relevant to this blog because we did the total lockdown here and now have our lives (mostly) back. And many people followed my 83 days straight of reporting from here about life in Italy during total lockdown.
Oh no, I’m sorry but I feel you may continue to be political and that’s not what I’m looking for.
Oh itâs as bad as you can see . Ignorance is awash in America. I am disgusted. A worthless president, and a senate that has ignored their ability to provide the checks and balances that the constitution has built in . America is done . If they re elect Trump when the virus abates we will leave for someplace that will allow us to retire as expats .
I love Appenino Those dishes are my kinds of â happyâ. Iâm particularly partial to prosciutto and burrata Nice!