Quick chat with Florence Esther Bacin, Seychellois living in Italy |08 April 2020
Florence Esther Bacin
‘It is fundamental for us to be responsible towards the most vulnerable, our children, our elders and those with chronic pathologies’
We are all following the tragedy COVID-19 is bringing to the world. One place close to our hearts, emotionally and economically – emotionally as we have family members living and working there and economically as it is one of our major tourism markets – Italy has been hit really hard by COVID-19. Seychelles NATION had the opportunity to have a quick chat with Seychellois born Florence Esther Bacin who is currently living in Rome.
Seychelles NATION: Please tell us who you are?
Florence Esther Bacin: I am Florence Esther Bacin and I have been living in Italy for over 22 years. I am actually living in Rome where my husband runs an Italian restaurant in the centre of Rome which is now unfortunately closed due to the actual situation.
Seychelles NATION: COVID-19 has taken Italy aback, how are you guys living the crisis?
Florence Esther Bacin: COVID-19 has drastically changed the lives of each and every one of us. Rome, as other parts of the Peninsula, is on lockdown since the beginning of March. Rome has become a deserted city where only few essential activities are functioning but with very severe restrictive conditions. Only a member of the family is allowed to go to the store once a week to buy goods and essential commodities of course wearing mask and maintaining social distancing.
Seychelles NATION: Are people still going to work?
Florence Esther Bacin: For those few moving around for work or health purposes, they have to present a self-certification otherwise they are
fined by police who are everywhere on the streets. People do not hug anymore, do not shake hands anymore. You can only read the sadness
and frustration in other people’s eyes.
Seychelles NATION: Describe to us the situation and how are you coping?
Florence Esther Bacin: No one can say when all this will be over but according to the scientific committee, we have already reached the peak but not yet passed the critical phase.
The actual situation in Italy today is we have 124,632 positive cases; 15,326 deaths; 21,815 recoveries; 3,977 in intensive care unit and 58,320
in home isolation.
Seychelles NATION: Is there a Seychellois community that keeps in touch?
Florence Esther Bacin: Here in Rome we do not really have a Seychellois community, but I myself try my best to contact everyone I know, even those living in other cities, to check on them. And like me, most of them, our thoughts, worries and prayers go to our family, relatives and all Seychellois back home. Hopefully by June 29 all this will be over and I take this opportunity to invite Seychellois from all around Italy and other
European countries to gather in Rome where we will organise a dinner dance to celebrate our Independence day anniversary.
Seychelles NATION: Any advice to your Seychellois brothers and sisters?
Florence Esther Bacin: I would like to give some advice to my dear Seychellois brothers and sisters. We have always been a nation with a very strong ‘joie de vivre’ and this situation that we are facing today will lead to an enormous sacrifice. Please it is fundamental for us to be responsible towards the most vulnerable, our children, our elders and those with chronic pathologies.
Let's follow and respect the few essential recommendations imposed by the Ministry of Health…
Stay Home and Stay Safe…God bless you all!
Compiled by Vidya Gappy
