Legal and ethical issues regarding minors in the italian Coronavirus flu emergency

On February 21, 2020, Italy became one of the countries hit by an epidemic of 76 the new coronavirus that causes “severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2” 77 (SARS-CoV-2). Even a month before that, however, the Italian government began issuing 78 a series of decrees and ordinances aimed at the containment of the virus in Italy, the first 79 80 of them on January 25, 2020. The COVID 19 infection has been faced as an epidemic 81 through measures to enforce a high degree of isolation. These regulations hold for minors, 82 as well, with consequent difficulties for this age group. While at the moment young 83 people appear to be the least vulnerable to the severe complications of COVID 19, the 84 psychological problems that may be brought on by pandemic-related restrictions should 85 86 be taken into serious consideration.