Experiences of Lockdown

Since the start of the pandemic, across the world lockdown measures have meant most people have had to stay at home, with vulnerable people shielding themselves and households having to self isolate if they show any symptoms of the virus. Many people will have felt that their communities and local neighbourhoods have become more connected as people have had to rely on others to provide essentials.

We put a call out and asked people to send us in their experiences of lockdown and the Osborne family got in touch with some photos and stories to help us document lockdown. If you would like to send us some images or videos email us [email protected] 

The Osborne Family

‘As a full time working family lockdown has been a time in our lives where we have been able to spend some quality time together. It has taught us that going forward we must slow down. We lived such a busy hectic life before – we were too busy to enjoy the little things in life’ – The Osbornes of Eccleshill.  

Just one example of communities helping each other out comes from Community Works, locals have been helping those in need by delivering food and praying for peace and harmony. 

Credit: Zafar Kayani at Community Works

Getting food ready to distribute and deliver to needy families during Covid 19 .

Food packages being delivered to people who are unable to come out to collect them. Due to shielding or family situation.

 Credit: Foziah Khan

Praying for peace and harmony in the world during lockdown

As well as bringing people together and giving some of us more time to connect with our families and where we live, it’s important to understand that this sense of togetherness hasn’t been felt by everyone. The pandemic has amplified class and minority differences. Many of the key workers who have continued to work during the crisis are often low paid and from working class communities, whose work is usually devalued, but they now find themselves at risk in the fight against the virus. This is also felt by ethnic minorities and the migrant community who often face racism and bigotry on a daily basis, but have felt a rise in racism and discrimination, despite migrant workers being crucial to the NHS. As the pandemic originated in China many Chinese people have experienced racism and bigotry. Read more

Black and ethnic minority communities have also been disproportionately affected by the covid-19 virus with more people from these communities dying. Some of the suggested reasons behind this include the structural racism that exists, housing and health inequalities and a higher number of people from these backgrounds working in public facing jobs, such as the NHS. Read more 

Watch the following video by local Bradfordian Kamal, discussing his and his families experience of life during lockdown: