Design Week 'virus party, anti-mosquito repellents and hand gel always with you'

Virus lurking for the fans of the Salone del Mobile who flock to Milan, the design capital. “Between gatherings and aperitifs, thanks to the temperature changes” which have erased the illusion of an early summer, “situations at risk of contagion” are multiplying for salon and non-salon owners, warns virologist Fabrizio Pregliasco. “Rhinoviruses, many enteroviruses, metapneumoviruses, non-Sars coronaviruses, but also a bit of flu and Covid, with the Rt transmission index returning last week to just above the epidemic threshold”: these are the invisible enemies hovering over Design Week Milanese, lists the expert from the State University of Milan on Adnkronos Salute. “And then there is Dengue – he warns – with the epidemic still ongoing in South America and tiger mosquitoes starting to circulate in the city, possible vectors of the virus”.

“We are still in a season in which the respiratory infection curve is struggling to lower more decisively”, explains Pregliasco. “And all situations of closeness, we have now understood this well with Covid, certainly contribute to this 'tail' of flu-like viruses”. Without forgetting “gastrointestinal viruses, so it is important to pay attention to what you eat and drink, make sure you consume healthy and safe foods, avoid insidious mixes”, recommends the doctor. Finally Dengue, because “it is now involved too and maxi-events in general certainly represent an opportunity for possible contagion, especially considering the fact that – remember – the majority of cases are asymptomatic”.

Pregliasco's hope is that at the level of local authorities and the population the ministerial indications for environmental prevention, disinfestation and the all-out fight against mosquitoes will be taken seriously. While the specialist dictates an anti-virus 'survival manual' to the design people: “Let's bring some anti-insect repellents and use them”, he suggests. “No mask, it makes no sense to go that far”, he specifies. However, it would be 'good ton' to dust off “the responsibility of the individual, which we have forgotten a bit. If someone has an ongoing infection – is the message – think about it for a while before throwing yourself into the fray”. Again: green light for “hand hygiene gels”, highly recommended before approaching the 'savoury bowl'. And finally, against the whims of the weather, “a historical classic: 'onion' outfits, dressing in layers that you can take off and put on when necessary”.