Introduction. The social impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Italian society

Italy has been the first western country to be hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. And it could be the western country with the highest number of deaths and the most severe mortality rates. This monographic issue opens up an analysis and discussion about the peculiarity of the Italian case in an international comparative perspective. What can explain such primacy? What have been the most important effects, including the huge number of deaths? The covid-19 pandemic has produced significant social impacts, which are destined to persist longer than the health emergency. Most of such social effects have focused on the most vulnerable social groups. Moreover, the pandemic has represented a sort of stress test for public institutions and policies, showing their structural and cultural capacity and weaknesses.