A tale of two lockdowns


Have I already written a post about the differences between this lockdown and the first? It’s hard to tell in this weird new Groundhog Day world of ours.

But in case I haven’t, here goes. 

 

• In early 2020 we shared a collective gung-ho spirit which manifested itself in much making-do-and-mending and repeated singing of “We’ll Meet Again”. This year we’re too jaded to mend and have no inclination to sing anything other than “We’ve gotta get out of this place”.

 

• Last year we were all in a state of shock and disbelief. “What do they mean we can’t go on holiday, go to a pub or eat in a restaurant?” This year we’re so accustomed to the “new norm” we can hardly remember a time when we popped into a pub or hopped on a plane whenever the mood took us.

 

• The weather was glorious in spring 2020 and we kept up our spirits up by walking, hiking, running and playing garden games. This year’s lockdown has been a chilly, couch-based affair broken up with the occasional squelch through the muddy footpaths.

 

• Only essential shops have been allowed to stay open during both lockdowns. But this time round there are plenty taking the mickey and we’re now able to buy “essential” greeting cards, bouquets and vaping equipment.

 

• Last year the motorways were deserted because we were all told to stay home, right? The same edict applies this year but the roads have become inexplicably filled with heavy traffic heading apparently nowhere.

 

• Last spring we were desperately short of face masks and everyone from 

multinational companies to grannies were sewing them for key workers. Today there are masks a-plenty – in fact the streets are literally paved with them.

 

• In spring 2020 we would all emerge from our houses every Thursday to ring bells and bang saucepans for the NHS. This year our attitude is: “Can’t be bothered. “Just give them the money and I’ll stay here on the couch.” 

 

• Last year there was no obvious way out of the pandemic. But this year the vaccine is being widely hailed as the light at the end of the tunnel. Let’s hope this is true and that I won’t be writing a similar comparison between Lockdowns 3 and 4 this time next year. And you can bet if I do, I’ll definitely be asking you the same question as I did at the start of this post.

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