South Tyrol is used to making domestic Italian comparisons for itself. In the corona pandemic, however, the Alpine province is at the bottom. Mountaineer Reinhold Messner has an explanation for this.
In view of the large number of people refusing to vaccinate and the highest corona rate in Italy, the South Tyrolean mountaineer Reinhold Messner worries about the reputation of his homeland as a tourist destination.
“We are losing reputation,” said the 77-year-old in an interview with the German press agency. “People will think about coming to us to ski when they say: We are the worst in Italy.” South Tyrol has so far been one of the most popular holiday regions for German citizens as well.
The Alpine province currently has the lowest number of fully vaccinated people in Italy (as of Tuesday evening: 68.6 percent) and at the same time, with a value of 550, the highest seven-day incidence. That is why stricter measures apply than elsewhere – for example, a mask requirement also outdoors and an FFP2 mask requirement on public transport. From Monday on, you can only go to restaurants, bars, cinemas, theaters or fitness studios with a 2G certificate – i.e. proof of vaccination or recovery.
“Probably too late”
Messner has little hope that stricter measures will mean that previous objectors can still be vaccinated against the virus. “It’s probably too late,” said the former Green MEP, who has already been vaccinated three times. “Those who have not yet had themselves vaccinated, who suck these conspiracy myths from the net, can no longer be converted.”
The fact that South Tyrol – similar to Bavaria or Austria – has low vaccination rates is also historically justified, Messner said by way of explanation. The mountain region fought for freedom against Bavaria and the French at the beginning of the 19th century and against Italy and fascists in the 20th century. Many people today misinterpreted the term freedom. “In the pandemic, we can only work together.”
At the same time, the adventurer observes that the view of the autonomous province is changing. «We South Tyroleans were the figureheads of Italy. We were the best economically. We were orderly and kept our country clean – in contrast to Rome, where the wild boars roam the area. ” But now South Tyrol is suddenly at the bottom in statistics. “And the Italians laugh up their sleeves.”
Source From: Stern
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