Almost 4 years ago, Lockdown started (23 March 2020)

[SparrowSally]

Can't believe it's almost 4 years ago. I feel so uncomfortable looking back at that time, we really had no idea what was to come.

Me too. Never want to go through it again and l had a relatively easy time of it compared to some. Still never had covid.

It was a dark day. I will never see government, or many of my fellow citizens in the same way again. The government destroyed the future of our children, threw democracy under the bus, gaslighted and lied to the public, played divide and conquer, toyed with the public’s mental health, deliberately stirred up fear and panic… and the public fought over toilet paper, and whether people went for more than one walk a day (that was never a rule). I will also never believe in any government “emergency” again.

Tho constant moving of the goalposts, while people watched their lives, businesses and children’s mental health crumble.
”reviewed in three weeks.”
”just three more weeks.”
”we can send the virus packing in twelve weeks.”
“we need to squeeeeeeeeeeeeeze the brakes.”
”next slide, please.”
“Normalish by Christmas.”
”it would be inhumane to cancel Christmas.” (Just before doing it)
”schools are safe.” (Just before closing them)
”significant normality by Easter.”
”one last push.”
”I implicitly believed we were working in Downing Street”
”just until the over 70s have been vaccinated.”
”just until the over 50s have been vaccinated.”
”irreversible road map to freedom in June. Oops, July.”
and so on.

It’s notable how when the tories’ many sins are listed, prolonged lockdowns which caused massive and lasting damage never seem to be mentioned.

We were half way moving to Spain, had sold our UK home but were packing up the last bits in the UK, having already moved most of our things to Spain earlier in the year. We bolted out of the UK on the 22nd March to drive to Spain . We were the only people on the Euro tunnel ...spooky. Hardly any traffic on the French motorways ... really spooky They then wouldn't let us in Spain ...super scary (guns) so we were stuck in France for 7 weeks, we fortunately hired a gite. Scary, exciting and very much an unforgettable time

I listened to a track on the radio today which brought it all back.
It was a horrible time for me. I had cancer, my mother died and her funeral was 4 years ago today. I was terrified of catching covid at the funeral but come the day most guests decided not to go. My DS moved out to avoid bringing covid home as I was so vulnerable. It was probably the hardest day ever for me.

My DH were talking about how the weather literally became the perfect spring and summer compared to now.

Also getting to the pub for a drink before they were closing at 8pm for an unknown amount of time.

I am nostalgic for it. Schools shut, kids activities stopped, WFH full time and all spent loads of time together and spent hours walking together, watching box sets and playing games.

I too remember the weather being glorious and everyone using their gardens to the max. So much so, that even fence paint went out of stock as everyone was stuck at home so doing loads of DIY!

Some of the most random moments though!

I remember at some point (it's all a bit of a blur) taking DD, who was 6, to a garden centre. Wildly exciting! It managed to stay open for a bit longer than most because it sold food. We got there and we could wander round the outside bit, but all the 'nice things' were roped off. You could look at it all but not touch. You could buy a packet of sweets but not a vase ...

My birthday is the 24th March so can remember the 24th being the first full day off lockdown, so a shit birthday, everyone scared and worried for the future, not sure how to act, or what to do, if I remember right got a takeaway pizza (was that allowed?), can't even remember if I even had any cake. Just gone back through my photos and no photos taken that day, probably too anxious/depressed/scared.

I was just thinking how great the weather was today, after seeing the shite forecast for the next week.

Couldn't get a hair cut. Couldn't see the dentist despite a filling falling out (had to use a temporary filling kit bought online as Boots had sold out). Had to resort to waxing my own eyebrows as couldn't see the beautician. Really not a pleasant time for self-care 😏

We went through so much, we went in as a couple and I came out alone.

@Meredusoleil oh god the home hair cuts! I'd forgotten that. I did an awful number on DH

4yrs! What!
I'd had IVF and the embryos put in that first week of lockdown. DH wasn't allowed to attend any scans or appointments. I started bleeding weeks after seeing a heartbeat, but the EPU wouldn't see me. They said in 'normal times' they would, but not in lockdown. I MC at home. Due to previous MC's, was advised to get the foetus genetically tested. I was given a time slot to attend with the products, but had to sit in the EPU over an hour. I was still bleeding very heavily, felt dizzy and was pale, yet they still never scanned me nor even checked blood pressure. Surreal times!

That's actually the one thing I didn't hate about lockdown: I got quite good at cutting hair!!

@Ratfinkstinkypink That's a few words with a sad message. So sorry.

I really quite enjoyed the first two lockdowns.

Can i add another one? I distinctly remember Hancocks "dont blow it now" comment at one of the press conferences. The blame levelled at the public was disgusting. And all the while he was being blown by Gina!

Bleurgh

In December 2019 we made a decision to get married and a new decade would be a great time to do it

My lovely lovely friend who was single and lived alone wasn't allowed to see anyone for months. He started drinking too much to cope. He died at the end of last year from the damage. We tried so hard to keep him going but we weren't enough.

So sorry

Caroline Hirons started her Beauty Backed campaign based on this and the fact that barbers were allowed to open and there were photos all over Twitter of men getting their nose hairs plucked while beauty salons wernt allowed to open and do leg waxes even though thats the complete opposite end of the body away from the face. Men first...............even in a pandemic.

I was thinking about this today during an outpatients appointment.
Washing my hands in the toilets there was a sign advising how to do it properly.. and I remembered being told to sing Happy Birthday as you wash.. and all should be OK.. 😶‍🌫️

I can still remember it all so well. My DCs birthday was at the weekend. I remember going out for his birthday and everything was deserted because people were already not going out as much. Then the vulnerable had to shield on the Monday. I think the schools and the pubs shut on the Friday. I remember going to the Range that Sunday and it being like a ghost town. On the Monday he announced the lockdown for the Tuesday.

It feels like forever ago and just last week.