FIVE YEARS SINCE COVID CHANGED OUR LIVES - 🏥
Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
Five years ago today, life in the UK changed in ways no one could have imagined. In early March 2020, the coronavirus pandemic was already making headlines around the world, but for many, it still felt distant. That changed as cases in Britain began to rise rapidly, and by the middle of the month, it was clear that drastic action was needed.
On 5th March 2020, the UK recorded its first Covid-related death. In the days that followed, the government introduced increasingly strict guidance, urging people to work from home where possible and avoid unnecessary travel and social contact.
Then, on 23rd March, the country entered its first national lockdown. Schools, non-essential shops, pubs, and restaurants closed their doors, and people were told to stay at home except for essential reasons. The streets fell silent, while inside hospitals, NHS staff worked tirelessly to treat those suffering from the virus.
The first weeks of lockdown were marked by fear and uncertainty. Supermarket shelves were stripped bare as panic buying took hold, and families found themselves suddenly adapting to life indoors. The "Clap for Carers" movement saw people across the country standing on their doorsteps every Thursday evening to applaud NHS and key workers. Meanwhile, businesses struggled to stay afloat, and the government introduced emergency financial support, including the furlough scheme, to prevent mass unemployment.
For those who lost loved ones, the pain of that time remains raw. Strict restrictions meant many had to say their final goodbyes over video calls or attend funerals with only a handful of mourners. The impact on mental health was profound, as isolation and anxiety took their toll on millions.
Looking back five years later, it is clear that Covid-19 changed the UK in ways that still shape our daily lives. From the way we work to our attitudes towards public health, the effects of the pandemic are still felt today. While life has returned to a new normal, the memory of 2020 remains fresh for those who lived through it.
