A drama that gives no peace (Swiss Press Audio 2021, by Alice Pedrazzini - Elena Boromeo) - Swiss Press Award
Radiotelevisione svizzera - Modem, Rete Uno
Alice Pedrazzini - Elena Boromeo
Old-age homes were the sites of greatest vulnerability to the pandemic; not just in Ticino, where almost half of recorded deaths happened in these institutions. In the old-age home in Sementina, 29 people died between the beginning of March and mid-April (21 officially from Covid-19). The institution, which houses about eighty people, suffers between one and three deaths per month in normal times. “There was a period during which we had nothing left to do, because so many elderly people had died,” says a nurse who is still struggling to sleep. In the programme “Modem,” the RSI journalists reported on the failures and lack of transparency surrounding the health conditions of the residents. It was difficult to get in touch with the staff. The care manager emphasizes that the priority was “to get the patients healthy,” and that “keeping the family members informed” was secondary. In other institutions things were run better. The Cantonal Medical Officer makes no bones about his misgivings in regard to the events in Sementina, and a judicial investigation is underway.
Interview with Alice Pedrazzini - Elena Boromeo
