by In Trieste
Link festival continued this afternoon with a vibrant talk between famed journalist Giovanna Botteri and Friuli Venezia Giulia’s president Massimiliano Fedriga.
Botteri: What’s happening with the Green Pass and vaccinations? We are confused.
Fedriga: From the very beginning I wanted to disassociate myself from the piazzas with anti-vax movements. I think it’s very irresponsible to get votes that way. Of course I made mistakes during pandemics but I tried my best. I remember getting calls from our hospitals informing me there was no space left for the patients. That’s why getting vaccinated is so important – we save oncological patients who otherwise can’t get into emergency rooms full with Covid patients.
Botteri: It’s not always easy to get the covid test. Today I had to go all the way up to Basovizza to get mine.
Fedriga: We made an agreement with FVG pharmacies regarding price. Our region covers half the cost so the tests cost less. We also offer free tests for those who can’t get vaccinated due to medical reasons. Of course, there are situations where Green Pass can’t be checked (like when one rides a bus), that’s why we invite everyone to use common sense for the common good. I am convinced that vaccines are important, there’s no doubt. However, we don’t believe they have to be obligatory. Take a look at the medical staff for whom it’s a must. Did all of them get vaccinated? No. Thus the mandate doesn’t work.
Giovanna: More than 30% of FVG residents didn’t get vaccinated. Why? 30% means heard immunity hasn’t been achieved here.
Fedriga: I believe that the 30% are not necessarily anti-vaxxers, but most of these people are scared to get vaccinated. Heard immunity is really hard to achieve. If it was up to me, everyone would be vaccinated by now.
Botteri: Do you think the anti-vaxxers are the same folks who were protesting against lockdown? The ones who thought Covid didn’t exist?
Fedriga: I don’t think so, I know that many business owners went to get vaccinated. But there’s also a lot of contradiction when people who want to stay open don’t want to get vaccinated. We risk killing economy that way.
Botteri: Some people don’t trust the information they hear.
Fedriga: Many tell me that I am paid by big pharmaceutical companies, there’s a lot of distrust.
Botteri: Probably, only your physician can convince you these days.
Fedriga: I agree. We need to explain the truth and then the number of vaccinated people will go up. I remember that at the beginning doctors would say not to use cortisone, which is actually very useful. There was a lot of disinformation and thus we were in a dramatic situation.
Botteri: What do you think about kids getting vaccinated?
Fedriga: If there is scientific proof that it is safe to vaccinate kids, then politicians can’t get in the way. We have to trust the scientific community.
Botteri: So why close the borders to immigrants?
Fedriga: I don’t know any democratic country where the borders can be openly violated. I am not talking about Afghan refugees. Those who flee their home countries are the ones who have the possibility do to so. The weak are the ones who are left behind.
Botteri: Many Triestini fled to escape misery. We escaped misery, and we were illegal in our host countries.
Fedriga: Most Italians weren’t illegals. They worked to get their future. We never said we don’t want foreigners in Italy. For me illegals are the ones who don’t respect our laws.
Botteri: My first duty is to help everyone. However, I believe immigrant’s lawfulness is our protection. You give them an opportunity to work. But if you leave them here as illegals, they will be doomed. So their legality is good for us.
Fedriga: I agree with you, we tend to believe people come here for work. But I can’t let illegal people get legal work.
Botteri: Immigrants who come here know that they don’t get to stay or to be welcome.
Fedriga: That’s not exactly true, however I strongly believe that citizenship should only be granted to fully integrated individuals.
Botteri: Immigrants don’t have the same rights as Italian citizens.
Fedriga: Immigrants have all the same rights except the right to vote. And I believe you need to be integrated to be able to vote. Italy gives out more citizenships than the rest of Europe. We are not negating the rights to anyone. Nobody wants to hurt anyone, despite difference of opinions.
Botteri: I think it’s essential for us to find a common ground to build future by breaking down barriers of misunderstanding. Is it possible to come together for the common good?
Fedriga: It is mandatory to do this. We need to get better and more responsible. Sure there are things we’ll always have different opinions on, but that shouldn’t stop us. It’s important to talk to people who are scared. We can’t force anyone to do anything. We need to explain why vaccinations are important.
Botteri: One last question. Can we connect Trieste better to the rest of Italy?
Fedriga: We invested in Trieste airport. As for the trains, we need to get the high-speed back. And the port has to be open to all. I’m thinking about India, Singapore, China and US. We need to be open to all and not monopolized by anyone.
