‘The epidemic of loneliness.’ We’re learning just how dangerous social isolation is, especially for older men

MILAN — For three hours, the woes of the world seemingly disappeared as spectators across the planet marvelled at Italian ingenuity and high fashion, and revelled in the Olympic spirit. The Opening Ceremonies of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games were above all meant to carry a message of harmony, or “armonia” as Italians would say, in increasingly troubled times. If the spectators in the San Siro stadium expressed any political bent, it was by cheering more loudly for countries like Ukraine or Venezuela — and their own, of course. In a speech, Giovanni Malagò, president of the organizing...