I had the great pleasure this afternoon of “seeing” my dear friend and Econlib contributor Alberto Mingardi. In Milan, Mingardi has been under lockdown and witnessing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic longer than most of us.

He says Italians are currently experiencing the greatest restriction in their personal liberty EVER, including under fascism. This is a claim that admittedly shocked me, even having been in conversation with Alberto all along.

 

We talked about “essential” businesses, the “disease of public opinion” which may be as dangerous as the virus itself, the greatest challenges government will face as the economy re-opens, and what the future may hold for the Italian economy. I hope you enjoy the conversation: