The curfew bell and the COVID-19 pandemic: A historical–medical perspective based on the Italian case

Abstract

The present communication examines the phenomenon of curfew in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic with special attention being laid on the management of the epidemic by Italian health authorities. A literature review and a historical–medical analysis were performed. A historical–medical excursus on the word curfew is offered and a comparison between military and health scenarios is given. Finally, this article stresses how words connected with wartime events should be contextualized when adopted in unmilitary scenarios such as pandemic emergencies and related public health responses.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• Curfew
• History of medicine
• Italy
• Pandemic
• Public health