Italy's frontline heroes are facing their toughest battle yet as COVID-19 cases surge again. Luca Puleo, president of Lombardy's National Association for Public Assistance (ANPAS), reveals emergency calls have skyrocketed 5-10× since the pandemic began – a crisis wave even seasoned responders find overwhelming.
Behind the stats are human stories: Federico Saini, a 28-year-old volunteer ambulance driver in Milan, confesses to sleepless nights before shifts. \"Every siren makes my heart race,\" he admits. \"But I tell myself: If we stop, who will help?\"
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ANPAS volunteers now follow strict protocols – double masks, full PPE, vehicle sanitization after every call. Yet the emotional toll runs deep. \"We comfort families through windows,\" Federico shares. \"It’s like fighting a war where the enemy’s invisible.\"
Despite the fear, these modern-day guardians persist. As Federico puts it: \"Courage isn’t the absence of fear – it’s responding when every cell screams run.\"
Reference(s):
cgtn.com