It was April 4th, 2020, when life as we knew it changed. The price of petrol at Tesco was £1.07, but that was the least of our worries. Schools were cancelled, and students saw their GCSEs and A-Levels vanish. Self-distancing measures were on the rise, and tape on the floors of shops marked the mandatory 2-meter distance. Non-essential businesses were closed, and we were all forced to stay inside. Pubs, theatres, restaurants, concerts, and entertainment events were cancelled, and social gatherings were prohibited. Churches were closed, and even graveyards were shut down.
We were asked not to socialise with anyone outside our households, and children’s outdoor play parks were closed. Panic buying set in, and we found ourselves without toilet paper, disinfecting supplies, paper towel, laundry soap, or hand sanitiser. The shelves were bare, and we experienced shortages of masks, gloves, and ventilators for our front-line workers.
As the situation grew more serious, manufacturers and distilleries changed their production lines to make visors, masks, hand sanitiser, and PPE. All non-essential travel was banned, and police patrolled the streets. Arenas opened up to accommodate the overflow of Covid-19 patients, and press conferences were held daily by the government. Businesses were granted loans and government support to keep the economy from imploding, and daily updates were provided on new cases and deaths.
The pandemic has brought us face to face with the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing it. The dead were denied wakes or funerals, and only a handful of people were allowed at the graveside. The roads were empty, and people outside wore masks and gloves. Essential workers were terrified to go to work, and medical field workers were afraid to go home to their families.
As we reflect on these trying times, we are reminded to be thankful for what we have and to cherish the moments that we hold dear. Let us show kindness to each other, love one another, and support everyone. May this pandemic serve as a yearly reminder that life is precious, and we should not take the things we love for granted.
