Lockdown started two years ago - what did you all think was ahead when it was announced?

[goaskmum]

So the very first lockdown started this day 2 years ago! I can’t believe that.

I remember hearing earlier that day that BJ was to do a big televised announcement in the evening and then being on edge not knowing what came next.

I also remember taking my dog out at half 7 that night for a walk because I wasn’t sure if it would be made illegal after he did his announcement!

What were you all doing and what did you make of it/think was going to happen?

I remember dh saying at the start that ‘no one would stop him seeing his dm’. He didn’t see her for weeks. She is a widow and it must have been such a lonely time for her.

I remember collecting dd from what turned out to be her last day at primary and Asking the teacher if they had taken a class photo or anything to mark the day. She asked why they would have done that when things would be back to normal after Easter. I thanked her for everything and she repeated that it wouldn’t be long till they were all back so there was no need for thank yous or goodbyes. It took 6 months and by then dd was at a different school.

Those first few days of lockdown we’re terrifying in a way. Before the furlough and SEISS grants were announced I was so scared we would have no money. I couldn’t stop crying. Day to day, we got in to a good routine and it helped that the sun was shining, but there were many, many dark days where we really struggled as a family and although as a family we pulled together, it was a really stressful time.

I had a huge heavy beautiful spider plant I hesitated to take home since the lockdown was "only for 3 weeks."

Very glad to say plant came home so is still alive. I didn't set foot in office for ~8 months.

I remember saying to a colleague who thought it wouldn't last long that perhaps we'd be back to normal by June. He said "that long?" and I said "June next year (2021). Hopefully." He looked at me like I was mental.
I'm NHS and I don't think we'll ever lose the requirement for wearing masks at least when face to face with patients.