Last week, Donata Zanotti said hello to neighbors, something she hasn't done since moving to the neighborhood 20 years ago.

Before Italy imposed a nationwide blockade on 9/3 to prevent nCoV from spreading, the northern Lombardy region, the epicenter of the disease, was identified as the "Red Zone". Schools closed three weeks ago, then theaters, gyms, bars, as well as many other crowded gatherings.

Those who can work remotely are required to do this. Shops closed, except for supermarkets, grocery stores, pharmacies, and tobacco stores. The government allows people to shop and go for a walk "for the sake of outdoor physical activity".

However, in the city of Milan, where Donata Zanotti is living, local authorities even demand that the park be closed to limit people moving. "Outdoor activities are allowed on paper, but where do we know to go?" Said a 32-year-old man named Andrea Paracchino.

Despite the tense atmosphere caused by Covid-19 and the rules of distance, people in Milan, the city famous for its distance, gradually came together with comforting words. "At least I match my roommate. I can't imagine going through this with a bad person," Paracchino said.

Paracchino's parents lived in the neighboring Piedmont area, but he decided not to go there during the blockade. "Such an act is irresponsible. What if I get sick without showing symptoms? I don't worry about myself, I think about others," he said.

Zanotti, a photographer and yoga trainer, wakes up at 6 o'clock every day and walks while almost the entire city is still asleep, in order to avoid hitting other people. "I would go crazy if I could not breathe air," she explained.

The 46-year-old woman also has the habit of going out to the balcony and chatting with neighbors. She took and posted photos of their remote portraits on Instagram, and participated in online meditation courses.

"In the period when everyone is hurt, everyone needs to slowly enjoy every small beautiful moment," Zanotti said. Milan's architecture, with houses tending to build around common grounds, suddenly became useful. "The yard becomes everyone's common space. This sense of solidarity is unexpected," the photographer said.

From the windows in Milan, like many other cities in Italy, people sing together to cheer. However, when the sentiments in the community seem to become more intense in the middle of the blockade, it is also the situation that is more difficult day by day.

The industry of buying food online is overloaded because of the number of orders. Anna Zafesova, a female translator who has stayed in the house for a week to prevent any risks to her 66-year-old husband, said she had to spend hours trying to place an order. However, even when successful, Zafesova still had to wait about 17 days.

"Maybe we won't starve to death, but buying some fresh food becomes a real challenge," said the 50-year-old woman.

Blockade orders are especially heavy for parents who both have to work at home and take care of their children at the same time. "I'm exhausted. People say blockade is an opportunity to spend time for myself, but I have not been able to rest for a few weeks," said Serena Cima, a mother of 15-month-old children.

Many families hesitate to hire babysitters because they want to avoid outside contact. However, Cima found someone right in the neighborhood, who could help a few hours a day without taking public transport. "I'm quite lucky, but there are economic tensions," she said. Officials waive tuition for public school students, but Cima must pay the fee because her children attend private schools.

People are wondering how long the blockade will be maintained. "I'm extremely worried. Now people stick together and sing the national anthem from the window. But in the end, no one was able to avoid the feeling of fear," Zafesova said.