Aspects of life in the COVID lock-down

  Were there any aspects of life in the COVID lock-down that felt like elements of a sci-fi narrative to you? Reflect on your experience during Spring 2020 – Spring 2021 period, considering that time in the context of our conversations about sci-fi representations of pandemics.

In some ways, the COVID-19 pandemic was seemingly similar to a movie, and to me, it even had aspects of mass paranoia tied into it. To someone completely unaware of COVID-19, some areas and parts of its early stages might come across as make-believe, or truly parts of a science fiction novel. 

The beginning stages, including being placed under mandated quarantine, constantly wearing masks, and being separated from family and friends, were all government-mandated precautions. However, the additional personal precautions people began taking are what really brought out the science-fiction aspects. The daily death counts and constant alerts about cases entering each state were one thing, but understanding that this was something that would impact everyone's lives seemed difficult for many people to grasp.

When people realized that they still needed groceries and other basic necessities, grocery shopping became an entirely different experience. For many, services like Instacart became a new way to get groceries without having to enter stores. However, for those who were unable to use these services, grocery stores began limiting purchases to one pack of paper towels or one carton of eggs per shopper. This was definitely a wake-up call for many people about how serious the situation had become.

In addition, schools closing and parents having to work from home created an entirely new environment for families that they most likely hadn’t experienced before. Students went from attending classes in person to learning through computer screens, which made social interaction and education more difficult. Parents were suddenly expected to balance their jobs while also helping their children with schoolwork. At the same time, many people lost their jobs as businesses closed or struggled financially, creating even more uncertainty.

Another interesting aspect of this time period was the way children born and raised around this time grew up, often referred to as “COVID babies”. Many of these children experienced fewer social interactions and different early learning environments because of restrictions and isolation. This also raised concerns about how the pandemic might affect early childhood development and education.

In conclusion, it’s strange to think about how quickly everyday life changed. Activities that were once considered completely normal, like going to school or visiting family, all of a sudden required additional precautions. The pandemic seems almost fictional not just because of the virus itself, but how quickly the entire world had to adjust to a completely different way of living.