When Prime Minister Boris Johnson first made the lockdown announcement on that fateful Monday evening of March 23, 2020, no one knew how far reaching the effects of a little-known virus would be. As the UK marks two years since the start of its first lockdown in 2020, we take a look at some of the weird and wonderful things that happened when the country shut down.
Woman using sanitary towel as mask
Apart from fancy dress or a masquerade ball, most Brits had little experience of wearing a mask. When mask-wearing became compulsory, the nation adapted and became acclimatised to covering the mouth and nose.
This didn’t stop people finding humour in what was otherwise a tragic, life-changing, global event. A woman used a sanitary towel as mask, much to the delight of her sister.
Jackie Weaver masterfully silences rabble-rousers
Having online meetings is now the norm, however pre-pandemic, in-person meetings were the way most companies conducted business. Jackie Weaver shot to fame when a clip of her taking back control in an online parish meeting went viral.
Lockdown haircut gone wrong
When the first lockdown seemed never-ending, people were faced with the unusual dilemma of not being able to cut their hair. Nevertheless some brave souls couldn’t wait and took matters (or their hair) into their own hands.
Here is a photo of a dad’s DIY haircut that had mum Marla Hayden in tears when she spotted the state of her child's barnet.
Haute couture bog roll dress
Designer dressers and vintage shops selling dresses from days gone by are expensive, mainly for their exclusive factor. A bridal store decided to take the ‘bespoke designer dress’ to another level with its bog roll dress.
The dress is most probably unwearable. However it is most definitely one of a kind and you’d never have to worry about seeing it on another person.
Neighbours actually talked and got to know each other
When socialising was banned for most of us (except those embroiled in the partygate fiasco), there was nowhere to go and no-one to talk to… apart from neighbours. The pandemic forced us to do many things, chief among them, to actually get to know our neighbours and foster some sort of community spirit.
Here are some neighbours having fun and taking the pandemic’s social distancing in their stride.
Goats that really were the Greatest Of All Time
Goats going shopping or visiting the barbers isn’t something you see everyday. These cheeky chappies were pictured in Llandudno, hitting the town for a spot of window-shopping.
We wonder what their Primark haul might have looked like...
Steak-Bake lovers united in Greggs’ pub pop-up
It was a tough time for foodies and those not used to cooking. The pandemic highlighted the fact that nothing should be taken for granted, not even the mighty Steak-Bake from Greggs, which we thought would always be there.
One pub couldn’t bear to not get their Greggs’ fix, which led them to pivoting from a pub and opening a Greggs’ pop-up.
DJ, marathon-running teddy bears
The classic story of teddy bears picnic was reworked for 2020 when two teddy bears, named Ed and Ted, were spotted chilling out in a neighbourhood in Manchester. Known affectionately as the Moor Bears, the fluffy duo got up to all sorts including running marathons and spinning the decks.
Masking up to a whole new level
A woman was spotted with a giant plastic box on her head. We’re unsure if she was trying to make a point, whether it was an attempt at humour, or if she genuinely wanted to stay safe. Whatever her reasoning, she sure caused a splash on the underground.
Model influencer ‘chanels’ blanket designer vibes
The humble blanket has been one of the most comforting friends over the course of the pandemic. One model channelled designer vibes and showed his midnight blue blanket some TLC by wearing it in a number of different ways.
Fans of his work include a.lonso__ who commented: “I just discovered you today and I gotta say you are F A B U L O U S”
