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How Italy is reopening after the coronavirus shutdown : The Indicator from Planet Money Italy was one of the countries hardest hit by coronavirus, and was one of the first to shut down its economy. Now it's reopening. But not everyone's happy about it.

The Indicator from Planet Money

Italy Reopens: A Tale of Two Bookstores

Italy Reopens: A Tale of Two Bookstores

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TOPSHOT - A man wearing a protective mask passes by the Coliseum in Rome on March 7, 2020 amid fear of Covid-19 epidemic. - Italy on March 6, 2020 reported 49 more deaths from the new coronavirus, the highest single-day toll to date, bringing the total number of fatalities over the past two weeks to 197. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)
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ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images
TOPSHOT - A man wearing a protective mask passes by the Coliseum in Rome on March 7, 2020 amid fear of Covid-19 epidemic. - Italy on March 6, 2020 reported 49 more deaths from the new coronavirus, the highest single-day toll to date, bringing the total number of fatalities over the past two weeks to 197. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)
ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images

Italy has been slammed by the coronavirus pandemic. More than 29,000 people have died. Italy's lockdown has also been exceptionally aggressive. In many parts of Italy, people would get fined hundreds of dollars if they were caught outside without an urgent reason.

Now, though, Italy is lifting its lockdown. And nobody really knows what to expect. Today, we talk to two business owners in two different parts of Italy. They both own and operate bookstores, but they have very different feelings about emerging from lockdown. One is relieved to be earning again. The other worries reopening could destroy his business.

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