Health · Public Health & Disease · 9 hrs ago
Matteo Bassetti recalls feeling helpless during Covid pandemic
Italian infectious-disease specialist Matteo Bassetti spoke about his work and personal life on a television programme in Italy.
He presented his latest book, *Essere medico.
Come l’empatia aiuta a guarire*, which explores empathy in medicine.
During the Covid pandemic, he worked long shifts at San Martino hospital in Genoa, where ambulances lined up.
He said he sometimes came home after 10 to 12 hours and cried with his wife, Chiara, once their children were asleep.
He felt helpless, especially in the first two or three weeks of March 2020, he recalled.
Bassetti says doctors should treat every patient with care and make sure no one is left behind, even when conditions are difficult.
He also appealed to people to pay attention to seasonal flu and vaccines.
Matteo Bassetti said he felt helpless during the first weeks of the Covid pandemic.
He recalled coming home from the hospital after long shifts and crying with his wife, Chiara, after their children had gone to bed.
He said this happened especially during the first two or three weeks of March 2020.
Bassetti spoke about the experience during an interview on the Italian programme “Storie al Bivio Weekend”.
He also presented his latest book, “Essere medico. Come l’empatia aiuta a guarire”.
- Who
- Matteo Bassetti, an infectious disease specialist.
- What
- He recalled feeling helpless during the Covid pandemic and crying with his wife after long shifts at the hospital.
- When
- He described the early weeks of the pandemic, especially the first two or three weeks of March 2020. He spoke about it on 14 November 2026.
- Where
- At home with his wife after returning from the hospital in Genoa.
- Why
- He said he felt helpless during the pandemic.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Bassetti said he felt especially helpless during this period and sometimes cried with his wife after returning from the hospital.
Bassetti discussed his pandemic experiences and presented his latest book on “Storie al Bivio Weekend”.
- Specialist
- Matteo Bassetti, an infectious disease specialist
- Pandemic period
- First two or three weeks of March 2020
- Work shifts
- Ten to twelve hours at the hospital
- Family
- His wife is named Chiara
- Book
- Essere medico. Come l’empatia aiuta a guarire
What people are saying
I felt helpless
I came home in the evening from the hospital after ten to twelve hours, and more than once, when we had put the children to bed, I found myself crying with Chiara.
I cried because I felt helpless, especially during the first two or three weeks of that March 2020.