In Malaga, Spain news of the outbreak sent Fabiana Ravelo into a panic. As a 23-year-old with type 1 diabetes, she is part of a high-risk group.
“I was able to calm down after being confined in my house,” she said. “It gave me the chance to enjoy being at home like never before.”
Ravelo feels safe at home, but her family’s frayed economic safety is a reason for concern. The family’s home remodeling and design shop closed after the Spanish government ordered non-essential businesses to shut down.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen the day after tomorrow,” she said. “Our economic activity got reduced by 100%.”
Preventative measures have been taken in Ravelo’s building complex. Common areas are closed to the public and are being disinfected once a week with special equipment. Only one person per family can go outside their home with a permit that says they are about to perform an essential activity. Grocery shopping is only allowed if one is buying six or more articles.
Instead of seeing her house as a prison, Ravelo is using her spare time in quarantine to get around to things she didn’t have time for. Like reading more books, practicing a new language, working out, spring cleaning and playing with her dog.
“I have good and bad days,” she said. “Because the days are full of bad news, I try to focus my time and energy on being productive.”
