888

Cases in Italy now up to 888. - a 37% increase on yesterday. There are reasonable fears that the virus had been active for far longer than previously thought - the spread from parts of Northern Italy not considered hotspots is worrying.

It is becoming clear that governments have to take hard choices on the trade offs between economic, social and psychological damage and the rate of spread of the disease..

Italy reacted slowly and is paying a huge price and now seems tempted to think the worst is over. Florence is opening its museums free of charge for three days. With the daily figures rising so rapidly and uncertainty about lack of early detection this looks a crazy gamble to give succour to economic interests that are no doubt hurting.

I guess this balancing act is going to be played out across the world in the coming months. Short term politics against long term stability with all sorts of people and firms getting mashed in the middle.

Meanwhile we pressed on with cleaning builders’ dust from the house and thinning out the walnut trees. Glorious crisp clear weather. We sat by the fire and drank a glass or two of the local Vernaccia as the sun set and the cold wind picked up.

All very strange. I scan the FT, Guardian, Tines and Italian news feeds to try and keep abreast of it all.