ELISA ODDONE
Photojournalist
“We are here in our homes to fight with our childhood friends and families. Although we are on our knees right now, I feel the silent vicinity of my town. Even if the streets are empty, and no sound is to be heard, I know that when this nightmare is over, we will be partying as we alone know how. We don’t and won’t give up.”
Codogno, Italy - As the coronavirus grips Italy and stringent measures are taken to slow the spread of the infection, a local radio station is providing citizens with a sense of normality amid a quarantine.
The station broadcasts from Codogno, a town now known as the "Wuhan of Italy" under lockdown. Trains do not stop there, and the streets are empty.
"Good morning, Codogno!" says 82-year-old presenter Pino Pagani, starting his live broadcast from inside Lombardy's red-zone area, where about 50,000 people have been under quarantine for almost two weeks.
Radio presenters Pino Pagani (left) and Francesco D'Adda are seen during their broadcasting in a local radio station in Codogno on March 5. Photo by Michele Lori.