Quarantine Descripted: Jacqueline's Story

Isabela, Puerto Rico

​When I heard the news about a virus spreading all over the world I knew that any time soon it was going to reach the island where I lived. The inevitable had happened and we were put under quarantine on March 15, with just five positive cases of COVID-19. I wasn't prepared. 

​I only had a bottle of alcohol and a tiny bottle of hand sanitizer.

​I had some food but not enough.

A week later, I needed to buy food and I have to admit, I was very afraid. I didn't have a mask or gloves. So I took my bottle of alcohol and some tissues and went to the supermarket. 

I grabbed a cart and while I waited in line, I cleaned it. 

​​I seized everything I needed as quickly as possible. When I finally put everything in the trunk, I got in my car, cleaned my hands and started crying. I had mixed feelings. I was sad, worried, stressed, afraid. Everyone is a potential carrier. That's the way I see it, and I don't want to carry this sickness into my home. Fortunately I didn't get sick.

Now I have masks and gloves, which help protect me if I need to go out. As a non-essential worker, my only task is to stay home and keep safe and even though staying home is not easy and makes me anxious it is my safe haven.
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This is why I must express my respect and gratitude to all those essential workers who risk their health and lives every single day. ​​

​To everyone else, please stay home and if you need to go out, protect yourself.

Four hours in line to enter supermarket. I was at the end of the line, which bordered all of the parking lot and out to the street.

We can only stop this together.

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By Jacqueline Hernandez