The Milanese Quarantine, as told by nss magazine Thecofounder of nss magazine Walter D'Aprile writes about how COVID-19 is changing Milan and its creative industry

This article first appeared on Highsnobiety, under the title I've Been Quarantined in Italy, Here's How to Get Through It, on March 20th, 2020.

I struggle to actually feel productive without being in office. It may seem old fashioned or naive, but the little sentiments of rushing down the hallways and walking briskly to make an appointment to the first shot of espresso at the usual bar - paired with the morning WhatsApp messages outlining the daily agenda - are pleasant rituals that are difficult to set aside. Those first moments, those 15 minutes of reflection and strategy which separate my actual abode from my figurative home are fundamental parts of the job, like warming up before a game. 

Yet here in Milan, the city where everything travels at the speed of light, is where everyday double kiss greetings and salutations have been replaced by cautious glances and obsessive glimpses on cell phones. The daily rituals have been interrupted by an invisible enemy, one which though at times may have felt made-up, has proven to be undoubtedly menacing. It was January 31st when the first cases of the COVID-19 virus were detected in Italy: from that day onwards followed a whirlwind of events including denials, worrisome newspaper headlines and seemingly speculative social media updates that took control of our decisions and sent us in a wondering daze up until February 22nd. This was when the entire region of Lombardy was declared a red zone, and Milan, which had already been on its way, came to a standstill.

Furthermore, here's my personal guide to survive the Milanese quarantine.

1. Even if working at home, you should continue to dress as if you were going to work. Avoid all hoodies, being cozy right now will not help with productivity;
2. Continue your beauty routine, and if you don’t have one, start it;
3. Don’t give up on an espresso and a good orange juice to start your day;
4. Only update yourself through official channels; 
5. Don’t change your habits. If anything, improve them and keep on being a master of your life and choices;
6. Define a goal for the end of the quarantine and complete it;
7. Share your experience through social media but don’t become a slave for it, always maintain the same approach;
8. If silence comes along, get used to it, get comfortable with your own presence;
9. Do research, listen to new music, and if you don't read books don’t necessarily feel obligated to do it;
10. Repossess your goals and set new ones that are even more ambitious;
11. Be compassionate, consider those around you who are less privileged, check up on your friends who might not have family around.