by Jorge Vargas
Since the pandemic occurred, many safety regulations have been set in place to keep residents of San Marcos safe. This means practicing self-distancing and only going out for necessary things outside.
This hasn’t been easy for one of Texas State’s students, Ashley Garza, majoring in English. Ashley lives with three other roommates but is currently living by herself, as her roommates have gone back to their hometowns since quarantine started.
I spent a few days with Ashley to see what it’s like to live alone in these trying times. We went to H-E-B together so she could buy groceries and see the changes that have come to be because of COVID-19. Her roommates were kind enough to give her their groceries that they bought, since they wouldn’t be coming back anytime soon.
Ashley describes herself as a “homebody”, being at the apartment all the time doesn’t bother her but it’s being alone that has proven to be difficult for her to cope with. She does have the company of her dog, Coco, and she also FaceTimes her friends every other day. Paintings, reading books and watching movies is Ashley’s way to save herself from getting cabin fever.
Waiting in line to enter H-E-B is a thing now due to the growing concerns of the pandemic. 
H-E-B encouraging customers to practice social distancing as much as possible. 
Frozen goods left by Ashley Garza and her three roommates. 
Here we have Ashley Garza, enjoying her free time by painting in attempt to avoid cabin fever. 
Ashley Garza and her dog Coco, enjoying the sunlight as she reads in her comfortable reading spot. 
A cabinet full of food from Ashley Garza and her three roommates. 
Another thing Ashley Garza likes to do to pass time, is completing puzzles. 
Ashley Garza letting time fly by being on her phone and Coco enjoying her company as both sit on the couch. 
Ashley Garza, working on school assignments on the balcony as her dog, Coco, lays on her. 
It’s a “lazy day” for Ashley Garza, as she prepares herself a nice plate of frozen chicken to put in the microwave.
