Levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution fell drastically in parts of Italy — a direct result of the country closing due to #COVID19 . Venetians say the water hasn't been this clear in 60 years. Air quality and pollution continues to clear. Some refreshing positive news for your TL🌎 pic.twitter.com/PxOAFV8ajd — 바 네 사 🌙 (@finessabae) March 17, 2020

While it looks better, the office of the city's mayor says it has nothing to do with water quality that's actually been improved.

"The water now looks clearer because there is less traffic on the canals, allowing the sediment to stay at the bottom," said a buzzkill spokesman for that office. "It's because there is less boat traffic that usually brings sediment to the top of the water's surface."

That spokesman did note that, while the water shit's a mere optical illusion, air quality has indeed improved.

"The air, however, is less polluted since there are less vaporetti and boat traffic than usual because of the restricted movement of residents," he said.

CNN notes that the shutdown caused by the pandemic in the especially hard hit country is just the latest problem facing Venice. Last year they were struck by the worst flooding they've had in half a century. The damage caused by that totaled up to hundreds of millions of euros. They've also been burdened by "overtourism." Their population is decreasing. And their historical buildings are sinking into the water.

All told, very bad. Sounds like that mayor's office is an unenviable place to be employed at.