WILMINGTON, Calif. – As concerns grow about coronavirus spreading through the homeless population, emergency shelters are changing protocols to protect those living in close quarters against the disease. Kiki Hampton, a homeless woman who stays at the Doors of Hope Women's Shelter in Wilmington, says the changes are stressful.

"It’s uncomfortable to be here 24/7, around people a lot," said Hampton, who reads her bible because it calms her amid some tense times inside the shelter.

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Before coronavirus, women who stayed at the emergency shelter had to leave during the day. But since the pandemic, residents cannot leave, at least not for long.

"Since they put out the stay at home safety mandate, I just feel like we had to follow the same thing here," said Laura Scotvold-Lemp, the Doors of Hope Women's Shelter director. "I don’t know where they’re going, who they’re coming in contact with, what they’re touching or what they’re doing all day. So when they come back at three or four, they’re going to bring back whatever they’ve done all day with them," she explained.

The residents can go on short walks, quick grocery runs, or to the pharmacy, but they are always supervised. Safety is also the priority as residents must wear protective gloves before they go outside and wash their hands when they return. Still, most of their time is spent inside watching TV and playing real or virtual games.

That means plenty of time to get on each others' nerves.

"People get cranky. Oh yes, tempers flare. I just try to remove myself from it," Hampton said.

Hampton’s parents live in their car nearby. "Yesterday, I talked with my mom and dad and I was outside and I wanted to kiss her but I couldn’t really give her a kiss, but you can’t," said Hampton, who understands the importance of social distancing. She texts her mom every day but it doesn't replace human touch. 

The shelter rules are tough and some just cannot follow them.

"Its been difficult because some of them have exited because they felt unable to abide by the new rules," said Scotvold-Lemp. Still, she says she feels she has no choice but to keep residents safe.

The alley behind the shelter is  filled with people who refuse to go inside. Scotvold-Lemp visits them regularly, hoping they will change their minds.

For Hampton, they are a reminder of just how much she has.

"I’m blessed to have a bed, take a shower, be able to rest. I am grateful for that," she said.

She's also grateful for a cross she wears. It was a gift from which someone at the men's shelter next door gave her. She says in these tense times, it brings her comfort.