As Italy is gripped by a countrywide lockdown because of rocketing numbers of coronavirus cases, Italians are trying to boost their morale and have started spreading a slogan of reassurance: “Andrà tutto bene” – everything will be all right.

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Millions of children are stuck at home because their schools and nurseries have closed, and many have started leaving hand-drawn notes in their neighbourhoods, bearing the Italian equivalent to the Cantonese phrase jiayou, translating into “don’t give up” or “hang on in there”, that has been used frequently on the streets of China since the outbreak began.

The initiative appears to have been started by a few mothers in Bari, Puglia using Facebook, and then picked up across the country.

Romina Anardo, 38, a journalist at a local newspaper in Piossasco, a small town near Turin, has been working from home since her five-year-old son’s school closed because of the outbreak. He drew a rainbow accompanied by the slogan.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The drawing of a five-year-old from near Turin. Photograph: Romina Anardo

“After a moment of panic in the population, there is now a new solidarity,” Anardo said. “In my community the drugstores bring groceries to people’s homes and there is a group of volunteers that visit houses of people over 65.”

Marta Achler, a human rights lawyer who lives in Florence with her family, said the activity helped her two young children, aged five and seven, cope with a frightening situation. “They know they are in the low-risk group, but they worry about us and I think kids know that the elderly are at risk mostly, so my children worry most about their beloved grandparents. That is why this was such an uplifting experience for them, and to see their friends are doing it too,” she said.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest A child holding up an encouraging rainbow drawing. Photograph: Guardian Community

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Children painting a door with the ‘andrà tutto bene’ slogan. Photograph: Marta Achler

“We may be isolated here, but the message of hope is spreading.”

Luisella Romeo, 52, a tour guide from Venice, has not been able to work since 29 February. She said: “When I look out of my window, I see this huge banner saying, ‘Andrà tutto bene.’ The message helps. Venice is quite a strong community, we all know each other. The slogan doesn’t mean ‘relax, stop being vigilant’, it means ‘Don’t give up!’”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest A banner hanging from a window in Venice. Photograph: Luisella Romeo

She was hopeful that the lockdown would be lifted by the end of April.

“But maybe then it will be worse in other countries, and Italy won’t allow foreign tourists to enter,” she said. “I am just glad that my husband has a stable job and can work from home now. He is a university professor and tests and papers can be marked without going to the office.

“It’s human to be scared, but I don’t see panicking, nor acts of selfishness.”