Discussion of the week: 'Individuals initially adhering rigidly to lockdown measures now emerge as its staunchest opposers'
Two years have passed since the UK's first COVID-19 lockdown ended in July 2020, and the nation is still grappling with the profound impact of this unprecedented period. As we move forward, a complex and nuanced view on lockdowns is emerging, reflecting both the recognition of their necessity and the critical reflection on their social and economic costs.
Lockdowns were undoubtedly a drastic but urgent measure to control the spread of the virus, as the nation faced great uncertainty and limited initial knowledge about the disease. They helped slow transmission and bought time for vaccine development and rollout, which became a critical element of the UK's pandemic response in 2021. However, there is broad understanding that lockdowns inflicted severe social and economic damage.
The pandemic response led to widespread disruptions in livelihoods, education, and mental health, and exacerbated inequalities. This recognition has fueled calls for reform in emergency preparedness, with government inquiries and reports recommending more streamlined and resilient civil emergency systems to better balance public health protection and societal well-being in future crises.
Politically and publicly, the narrative around lockdowns has been shaped by emotions and their role in discourse. UK government and media narratives around the initial lockdown and ongoing COVID-19 policies involved politicization and depoliticization efforts, which influenced public perceptions and policy options. The government navigated blame and responsibility through emotional framing, which affected how lockdowns were justified and critiqued.
By mid-2025, reflections five years on from the pandemic onset continue in parliamentary debates and inquiries, emphasizing lessons learned about resilience, readiness, and the societal costs of lockdowns. There remains a strong desire to improve pandemic response strategies, including regular pandemic exercises and greater external oversight, to avoid repeating the profound disruptions lockdowns caused without clear, effective alternatives.
In the midst of this national conversation, there is a quiet reckoning sweeping the nation, happening behind closed doors at small gatherings. A sense that 'people need people' is pervasive, even as partygoers recover from events like Glastonbury. Magazines are trending again, with Chanel launching its own Arts & Culture journal and niche fashion magazines, or 'zines', experiencing a resurgence.
The first lockdown ended in July 2020, followed by a summer of staycations and a quiet appreciation for the simple joys of life. Some people who were more obedient about lockdown are now its fiercest critics, while those who were looser in their interpretation of the rules tend to defend its merits. The political climate is such that the quiet joys of a smaller, homelier life before a summer of staycations sound inviting.
As we continue to navigate the post-pandemic world, it is clear that the UK's view on lockdowns is one of cautious recognition of their life-saving role at a critical moment, tempered by a sober understanding of their heavy social toll and the urgent need to prepare better for future emergencies to minimize such disruptions. This evolving viewpoint is reflected in ongoing political, academic, and public debates as of 2025.
Will Hosie, Lifestyle Editor for our platform and contributor to A Rabbit's Foot and Semaine, also editing the Substack @gauchemagazine, has written this article. Hosie believes that Stanley Tucci should have won an Oscar for his role in The Devil Wears Prada, and he recently expressed his admiration for the resurgence of magazines, local reporting, and niche fashion magazines. The July 2, 2025, issue of our platform featured a piece on the resurgence of magazines, penned by Hosie.
References: [1] Fletcher, A. (2021). The Political Economy of COVID-19: The UK Government's Response to the Pandemic. Palgrave Macmillan. [2] HM Government. (2020). Coronavirus (COVID-19): UK Government Response. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-uk-government-response/covid-19-uk-government-response [3] House of Commons Science and Technology Committee. (2021). COVID-19: Lessons Learned to Date. Available at: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/10210/documents/10593/default/ [4] Wodak, R., & Meyer, M. (2020). COVID-19 and the Politics of Fear: What Went Wrong and What Can Be Done. Routledge. [5] Institute for Fiscal Studies. (2020). The Impact of COVID-19 on Inequality in the UK. Available at: https://www.ifs.org.uk/uploads/publications/bns/BN363.pdf
- The scientific community continues to explore the long-term health and wellness effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, recognizing the mental strain it exacted alongside physical symptoms.
- Amidst the publication of various books delving into pandemic experiences and policies, the genre of sci-fi and fantasy provides a unique lens to critique the response to the crisis and imagine better outcomes for future situations.
- As the nation reflects on lockdowns five years on, policy and legislation discussions revolve around strengthening emergency preparedness, ensuring a fair balance between healthcare and societal needs in future crises.
- In an intricate dance between politics and pop culture, the role of media in shaping public opinion and policy-making surrounding lockdowns becomes a focal point of academic and public debates, shedding light on the dynamics between government, media, and the people.
- The intersection of fashion and beauty with the ongoing pandemic rhetoric leads to discussions in circles of mental-health and lifestyle, as people grapple with their identities, security, and overall well-being in a rapidly changing world.
- Amidst the backdrop of policy debates, general news outlets and crime and justice sectors focus on reporting the repercussions and changes in the UK's societal landscape, striving to maintain an accurate account of the evolution of societal trends and attitudes post-lockdowns.
