... they waited until an outbreak hit the entire country and then herd immunity kicked in?
Not really. Most of the cases are concentrated in the northern regions (Lombardia, Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Piemonte, Liguria). The rest of Italy was quite safe, specially in the south and the number of cases was very low. The entire country lockdown was implemented just to protect the soutern regions (that has worst healtcare systems).
Invicta
Looks like the NYT can't stop themselves from using every article as a hit piece on the politicians they don't like.