3 years ago today (Thursday), the then Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, broadcast live to the nation from Downing Street and announced the country was going into lockdown. Now, 36 months to the day since that chilling announcement, Island Echo takes a look back at what then followed…
Over the past 1,095 days, we have had to endure 3 national lockdowns, working from home, missing our loved ones, being furloughed and the cancellation of numerous social and life events, but things are finally back to normal it seems – or are they?
The first confirmed case of COVID-19 on the Island was announced on 7th March 2020 after somebody tested positive at St Mary’s Hospital. From then on Islanders – like those elsewhere across the country – were told to be careful and cautious amid fears from those in charge that the virus could rapidly spread.
Cases throughout the country grew at an alarming rate and whilst we were told by the Isle of Wight Council just days before that schools would remain open, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson announced on 18th March that from the following Monday (20th March) schools were to close for an ‘unspecified time’ with only the children of key workers still being looked after at facilities across the country.
Students – including those who were approaching their SATS, GCSE and A-level examinations – had to endure online school work for around 3 months until schools gradually reopened on 1st June.
Whilst that decision was stewed over by members of the public, it was on 23rd March 2020 that the dreaded lockdown was announced. The Government – under the stewardship of Boris Johnson – told us to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. We were told it would be for just a few weeks and to do this, workplaces and public facilities had to close. In what, at the time, seemed like an alien move, social distancing was introduced and wearing masks suddenly became the norm.
It was at the start of April that temporary freezer containers were set up at the rear of the crematorium amid fears the number of people dying would overwhelm the mortuary and funeral home’s storage capabilities.
Life trundled on in a new way over the following few weeks before the arrival of the British Army to the Island’s shores in April.
As exclusively reported by Island Echo, on 4th April soldiers from The British Army descended on the Island to help local authorities manage the rapidly-evolving situation. Stationed at UKSA in Cowes, they stayed for just over 2 weeks and helped to ready 3 buildings at St Mary’s to help house those with the virus as cases spiralled.
The efforts of frontline healthcare workers soon became the focus of the country, with weekly claps on the doorsteps to recognise the work of the NHS. On the Island, NHS logos were erected on the local fire station and at St Mary’s Roundabout (as was). Matrix boards also appeared on Coppins Bridge simply saying ‘Thank U Carers’.
Local emergency services and businesses headed to the entrance to St Mary’s Hospital to show appreciation for doctors and nurses, as reported by Island Echo.
Come August, students opened their envelopes to find grades determined by their teachers and predicted grades, instead of by exams. This decision saw some of the best results that individual schools and colleges had seen and whilst it wasn’t as planned, young Islanders were able to continue their educational journey.
Another lockdown began on 5th November with Island life grinding to a halt once again. Around 4 weeks later restrictions were lifted and the public returned to a 3 tier system.
On Tuesday 15th December 2020, 98-year-old WWII veteran Kenneth Killeen from Newport was the first person on the Island to receive the COVID-19 vaccine when his vaccination was administered at the Carisbrooke Health Centre. To date at least 110,000 first doses have been administered on the Island, the vast majority of the local population.
Christmas 2020 rolled around with hopes of relaxed restrictions and despite cases increasing and the 4th tier of restrictions being introduced, the Government allowed the mingling and mixing of families on Christmas Day.
Just over a week and a half later, on 6th January 2021, the nation was plunged into the 3rd – and luckily final – national lockdown. Restrictions remained in place until March 2021 when a roadmap was published to help get things back on track.
Pop-up vaccination hubs were erected at Westridge in Ryde and at Newport’s Riverside Centre where Islanders could receive the 1st, 2nd and booster doses. Both of these vaccination hubs have since shut down.
The COVID-19 pandemic saw the cancellation of the 2020 editions of Isle of Wight Festival, Jack Up the Summer, Walk The Wight and the Garlic Festival whilst many smaller events, as well as sporting spectacles, were cancelled too. A number of events didn’t return in 2021 either as some remained skeptical about mingling in large numbers.
Despite there being no restrictions in place for some time now, many are still feeling the long-lasting effects of the pandemic. Masks are still seen in shops, surgeries and cafes, and some people who had to isolate for so long have found it hard to readjust to life as we once knew it.
It’s claimed by the MailOnline that 4 in 10 people in the UK are still testing at least once a month and the same proportion are wearing a mask.
Although we may be some 3 years on, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will be felt and remembered for many many years to come…
You can review all of Island Echo’s COVID-19 articles – all 1,750 of them – at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/category/coronavirus/.
No still have hospital staff stood around outside not working this time on strike
Ben – no one cares.
Sam – no one cares
The lies the lies and the lies! Never again!!
Bring back Boris! He never lied to us
You were all had…there never was a pandemic, it was the flu.
Were there any other survivors from your planet?
The virus spread after the administering of the clotshots
Exactly! And now I have Bill Gates commanding my every move!!!
No still can’t see a GP. They went into hiding 3 years ago and god are they good at hide and seek
Government plan.
You take the medical procedure, then if you have problems
You cannot be seen.
So many gullible people. So glad I didn’t go along with the hysteria.
Go into a room and tell that to people who have lost loved ones. Change your name to unicorn cos you have no balls.
Nah, I’ll stick with the current name. You should change yours to Shaun the sheep
Nothing quite like parroting the made up paranoia of some facbook “scientist” in his mums back bedroom to show you are an independent free thinker…
Life will never return to the old normal we were all use to.
Getting a Doctors appointment is a challenge.
Many businesses no longer accept Cash.
Many businesses have gone bust.
Inflation is a lie. If it’s only 10%, why are supermarkets increasing prices on
some items by at least 50%
15 minute cities are being rolled out around the country.
By 2030 they don’t want people driving vehicles.
It’s funny, everything my friend Mr justice said, has happened. And all he got was abuse for trying to help people to see what was coming. For those that called him nuts, tinfoil hat wearer,and worse( you know who you are) .shame on you.
The Covid Vax is actually the GPS tracker that won’t let you out for more than 15 mins. It’s already on in places like Oxford with 5G already. Don’t let them update to 5G! Do your research!
I’ve seen footage of 5G masts with dead and dying bees around the base..if anything it should not be aloud as if that’s what’s happening to the bees what is happening to us humans..
The World is run by 1 big plan
Whoever you Vote for in Parliament they have the same bosses above who tell them
what to do (there is no opposition party, there never was and never will be)
Smartphones were part of the plan.
They track all your moves, and I read the other day they will soon let the authorities
know the speed you are driving at and you will be fined.
Eventually your bank accounts will be frozen when we go digital, so many people are
clueless to what is happening.
The plandemic was brought in to bring in the re-set.
Fools loving believing conspiracy theories because it makes them feel special. The rest of us just feel sorry for you. We don’t listen to you or even try to argue with you because you are so stupid and “want to believe”. Crawl under a rock somewhere and talk to yourself.
In a few years times you might have the brains to realise what is going on,
Until then still believe there is only 2 weeks to flatten the curve.
Fool
Is that a reference to the unwanted curve in your manhood? I believe that there is a drug that can help with that problem. However, my beliefs will obviously differ from yours because mine are based on facts and empirical evidence rather than conversations with elves and fairies.
Have to say you make me giggle sometimes but not this time. You remind me of someone I used to know but wished ide never. Your reference to his manhood..!! Really….
I agree with you Alex, there is so much happening and about to, and yet there are those that think it’s not. Our world! No it’s those that have the plan that has already started..I am so happy I won’t be around to see the height of it..
Lockdown will go down in history as the crime of the century. Totally unnecessary and it crippled our economy. And to quote another Supertramp album title ” Crisis ? What crisis ? ” We were all conned.
I think you will find that it saved lives. Do you not remember the scenes in Italy and Spain? Do you not remember all of the deaths in nursing homes? Do you remember anything?
Sorry, Ian is absolutely right – crime of the century! … Supertramp reference was clever too.
“Supertramp reference was clever too”. Clever my arse. You blinkered fools. You might wake up on your deathbed but not before. Try believing in something worthwhile rather than nonsense.
Says someone calling theirself Donald Trump!!!!
Exactly, what a loon!
Who caren about lives! Its damaged the economy!
“go down in history as the crime of the century”. Unfortunately, history is more than this century, which is only in its 23rd year. Far worse has happened even this century and much worse in other centuries. Ever heard of the Holocaust for example, or the Rwandan genocide?
Do some research before your mouth engages with your brain! If you had then you would realise the figures around the world, by the government’s own figures , show we have surpassed all previous genocide or holocaust numbers. 6 billion poisoned, just work it out.
Research? I presume you refer to some looney websites peddling total and utter drivel. You obviously “want to believe” because it makes you feel special. Conspiracy theories are just lies. If you read the actual research, the scales might fall from your eyes, but I doubt it because you are a deluded idiot.
“A neurotic is a man who builds a castle in the air. A psychotic is the man who lives in it.”
Government ons figures! Facts you moron! But then again I wouldn’t expect a moron to know about the OFFICE OF NATIONAL STATISTICS. Just keep believing the BBC!
Pray tell what these statistics might be that you have obviously misinterpreted dummy? ONS obviously does not provide statistics for global vaccination rates because it is the Office of National Statistics, and thus it only covers the UK. If you look at the actual data from ONS, WHO, and any other reliable source (not some ranting halfwit on some conspiracy website), you will see that the vaccines have saved lives. Vaccines are not poison. They are a tried and tested form of preventative medicine. They have saved millions of lives and you will have been vaccinated against many diseases as a child. They obviously didn’t poison you because (sadly) you are still alive.
Only a total idiot would believe that vaccines are poison.
Wow! That really sum’s you up! See the difference between people like you and me is, I try to help people see what they might have missed, as I wouldn’t like to see harm done to anyone by the lying evil government (weapons of mass destruction, remember?)as for you, anyone that doesn’t believe what you do, you sadly wish them dead! Your not worthy of the name human being. Try running for government, you’ll fit in!
My my. A child of the age of outrage. You know that you are writing bullshit so ignore the fact that your vacuous lies have been exposed. You spread damaging lies. Vulnerable people with poor mental faculties are falling for your total and utter bilge. You are not helping anyone. You are simply trying to make yourself seem important when you are an insignificant moron with a poor grip on reality. All of you conspiracy nuts should just go back to wittering on about aliens. You did less harm with that garbage. Stupid people believe this crap because they want to feel special and different. It certainly works because it makes them sound incredibly stupid when they spout this drivel. People are laughing at you.
The simple answer is NO