Summary

The article reflects on the one-year anniversary of the first Covid-19 lockdown in the United Kingdom, remembering the lives lost and the profound impact on society.

Abstract

On March 23, 2021, the author marks the solemn anniversary of the UK's first Covid-19 lockdown by reflecting on the past year. The UK's official death toll has tragically risen to 126,172, starkly contrasting the 364 deaths reported at the start of the lockdown. The author recalls the fear and uncertainty as European countries like Italy, Spain, France, Austria, and Germany enforced strict lockdowns to combat the virus's spread. Personal anxieties are shared, particularly regarding the author's vulnerability due to Lupus, the challenges of working from home, and the absence of social interactions. The article emphasizes the human cost of the pandemic, acknowledging the individual lives and affected families behind the death count statistics. It concludes with a moment of remembrance for those lost and a poignant recognition of the collective emotional journey experienced worldwide.

Opinions

The author expresses a deep sense of solidarity with those who have lost their lives to Covid-19 and empathy for their families.
There is an evident personal impact of the pandemic on the author, including concerns about mental health, the immune system, and the challenges of adapting to lockdown life.
The article conveys a mix of relief and apprehension regarding the UK lockdown, acknowledging the difficulties of remote work, homeschooling, and social isolation.
The author believes that the pandemic has fundamentally altered the world and has left an indelible emotional mark on everyone.
There is a sense of hope and unity, as suggested by the linked article titled "You Are Not Alone," indicating a collective resilience in the face of adversity.

A Year Since the First Covid-19 Lockdown in United Kingdom

A day of reflection

Today 23rd March 2021, I write this at 12:01 pm after observing one minute silence in solidarity with those who lost their lives in the Covid-19 pandemic. Exactly a year has passed since the first coronavirus lockdown was announced in United Kingdom. Over the year the UK’s official death toll has risen from 364 to 126,172.

Memories of those days are very clear in my mind, most of the European countries had already gone into lockdown.

Lockdown in Europe

March 2020 started with devastating news of ever-increasing Covid spread and death count. I remember watching news from Italy and Spain with the heart-breaking pandemic scenario.

Italy issued a nationwide lockdown on March 9, ordering its 60 million residents to stay at home.

The Spanish government declared a state of emergency on March 14, issuing a general confinement order for more than 46 million people.

The French government announced a strict nationwide lockdown on March 17, banning all public gatherings and telling residents to stay inside except for grocery shopping and other essential tasks.

Austria banned its nearly 9 million citizens on March 16 from entering public spaces except in certain situations, such as pharmacy, grocery store and ATM trips.

Germany announced strict social distancing measures issued on March 22.

UK lockdown came as a sign of relief

Since the beginning of the year 2020 Covid-19 had started piercing into our lives bit by bit. It was affecting our mental health even before the rapid death count started. I remember being scared to send my kids to school .

I have Lupus and my disturbed immune system is the reason for me being more vulnerable and thus more scared of the whole situation.

I welcomed the announcement of schools closing and nation-wide lock down oblivious of the challenges that came with it.

It wasn’t easy working from home, home-schooling and just being at home 24/7.It has been over a year since I have had any guests inside my house .I wonder if life will ever get back to normal again.

Remembering the precious lives, we lost

2020 will go down in history as the year that altered the world as a whole. The increasing death count was a number, each number representing an individual. Each individual belonging to a family and effecting several extended families.

Lets spend a moment today to remember those individuals who lost their lives and their families who couldn’t be there to share the last moments of their loved ones.

The whirl pool of emotions we have experienced over the past year simply cannot be put down in words but it can only be felt.

You Are Not Alone

The sunshine will follow the moon

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