Exceptional times require exceptional measures, this is a recently often-heard Maxim. In Italy, the exception prevails because of the Coronavirus for weeks, state, the life seems to be just in the cities of Northern Italy almost came to a Standstill. Also in Milan, the schools were closed until Further notice.

people react in a similar

saw such a measure, also Domenico Squillace, therefore, stopped, the head of the state scientific high school "Alessandro Volta" in Milan. The studied philosopher and historian, wrote his students a letter in which he tries to the drama of the Situation to arrange, and the reason the student appeals.

The situation is not to be underestimated, writes the 63-Year-old, because "schools are institutions whose rhythms and rites show the passage of time and the orderly flow of civil life." The forced closure to show, therefore, is actually a exceptional situation.

He could not assess whether this measure was appropriate, writes to the rector. But if there was you already, you should learn from it. Because so extraordinary today may seem – diseases that have plagued people for home. And if there is in history a constant, it is that people respond to similar threats in a similar way.

What is the plague with the people

made Squillace encouraged his students to read Alessandro Manzoni, and the 31. Chapter of "The betrothed", a classic of Italian literature. There Manzoni describes vividly how the plague, Italy was looking for in the year 1630 home and all parts of the country depopulated. It is a "teaching to be rich, immensely modern Text" and Squillace, his students need to know. Then, too, you saw the danger slowly approaching, she could not turn away, but still. And even then, the reactions of the population were in sight.

It is a primeval instinct to suspect an invisible enemy is everywhere.Domenico Squillace, principal

"in Our school, we should not forget, exactly where earlier, Milan's Lazzaretto was the historical disease hospital," says Squillace his students. And so had already read Manzoni also of all to what is now observed again: "Everything you can find here: the certainty that Strangers are dangerous, the dispute of the authorities, the desperate search for the patient zero, the contempt of the professionals, the hunting of disease vectors, the rumors, the craziest remedies, the Hoarding of food, the state of exception."

The greatest danger, however, so the rector, not the disease itself, the Virus or the plague. The biggest threat is the poisoning of the human. "It's a primeval instinct is to suspect an invisible enemy is everywhere. One is inclined to see all others as a threat and a potential attacker. Unlike during the epidemics of the 14th century. and 17. Century, today we have modern medicine on our side, your progress, and collateral. Believe me, that is not little." Now, it is important to get the most Precious thing you have: humanity.

Only if you give the price, have gained the plague.

Created: 05.03.2020, 18:32 PM