Mario G. DiCristofaro, 89, Italian-born collision shop owner who could fix anything

Mario G. DiCristofaro, who owned and operated an auto collision shop in Buffalo, died Dec. 12 in Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Amherst, from complications due to Covid-19. He was 89. Born in Pratola Peligna in the Abruzzo region of central Italy, his boyhood memories from World War II included diving into ditches for shelter from bombing raid...

Italy starts vaccinating kids against covid-19

Italy is to begin offering covid vaccines to children aged 5-11 from 16 December, with reservations already open in most regions around the country. The moves comes two weeks after Italy's medicines agency AIFA approved the Comirnaty vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, following the green light from EU medicines regulator EMA. AIFA recommends...

Italy brings in Super Green Pass covid rules on 6 December

Italy's restrictions centred around the Green Pass will be tightened significantly from Monday 6 December, as part of the government's plans to stem the spread of covid-19 and to boost its vaccination drive. Central to the new rules is the so-called Super Green Pass, a reinforced version of the Green Pass certificate that proves the holder has been...

I Traveled to Tuscany During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Here's What It Was Like

It's no secret that the whole of Italy was hit hard by COVID-19. Between March 2020 and May 2021, travelers were kept out of the country while it went into lockdown. Since Americans and other travelers have been returning to the country, rest assured that Italy — and from my experience, especially Tuscany — is still as beautiful and bucolic as it...

Italy approves covid vaccine for kids age 5-11

Italy's medicines agency AIFA on Wednesday evening authorised the Pfizer-BioNTech covid-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11. The news comes a week after the EU medicines regulator EMA approved the Comirnaty vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, recommending that children get two doses of 10 micrograms, three weeks apart. Adult doses contain...

We the ItaliaNews: December 2021

The Sicilian town where the Covid vaccination rate hit 104%

While European governments weigh up new mandates and measures to boost the uptake of Covid jabs there is on the slopes of Sicily’s Monte delle Rose a village with a vaccination rate that defies mathematics: 104%. The figure is in part a statistical quirk – vaccine rates are calculated by Italian health authorities on a town or village’s official po...

Italy targets unvaccinated with restrictions as cases rise

The Italian government on Wednesday decided to exclude unvaccinated people from certain leisure activities in a bid to contain rising coronavirus infections and stave off financially crippling lockdowns just as the economy is starting to grow again. Starting Dec. 6, only people with proof of vaccination or of having recovered from COVID-19 can eat...

How is the Italy-US market shaping up post-COVID?

Ah, beautiful Italy; it’s no wonder why millions of Americans flocked here every year before COVID, and therefore no wonder why airlines are perpetually crazy for this market, trying to profit on that love. Conversely, Italo-Americans are a large community in the States, which makes demand from the other side also very strong year round – and this...

Italy offers boosters to those over 40 amid 4th virus wave

Italy is expanding the number of people eligible for a booster vaccine as the 4th wave in the COVID-19 pandemic grips Europe. Health Minister Roberto Speranza told lawmakers in the Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday that anyone 40 years or older can get the booster shot starting on Dec. 1. Italy has already offered boosters to those 60 years old and...