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Read these 12 moving essays about life during coronavirus

Artists, novelists, critics, and essayists are writing the first draft of history.

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essay in lockdown

The world is grappling with an invisible, deadly enemy, trying to understand how to live with the threat posed by a virus . For some writers, the only way forward is to put pen to paper, trying to conceptualize and document what it feels like to continue living as countries are under lockdown and regular life seems to have ground to a halt.

So as the coronavirus pandemic has stretched around the world, it’s sparked a crop of diary entries and essays that describe how life has changed. Novelists, critics, artists, and journalists have put words to the feelings many are experiencing. The result is a first draft of how we’ll someday remember this time, filled with uncertainty and pain and fear as well as small moments of hope and humanity.

At the New York Review of Books, Ali Bhutto writes that in Karachi, Pakistan, the government-imposed curfew due to the virus is “eerily reminiscent of past military clampdowns”:

Beneath the quiet calm lies a sense that society has been unhinged and that the usual rules no longer apply. Small groups of pedestrians look on from the shadows, like an audience watching a spectacle slowly unfolding. People pause on street corners and in the shade of trees, under the watchful gaze of the paramilitary forces and the police.

His essay concludes with the sobering note that “in the minds of many, Covid-19 is just another life-threatening hazard in a city that stumbles from one crisis to another.”

Writing from Chattanooga, novelist Jamie Quatro documents the mixed ways her neighbors have been responding to the threat, and the frustration of conflicting direction, or no direction at all, from local, state, and federal leaders:

Whiplash, trying to keep up with who’s ordering what. We’re already experiencing enough chaos without this back-and-forth. Why didn’t the federal government issue a nationwide shelter-in-place at the get-go, the way other countries did? What happens when one state’s shelter-in-place ends, while others continue? Do states still under quarantine close their borders? We are still one nation, not fifty individual countries. Right?

Award-winning photojournalist Alessio Mamo, quarantined with his partner Marta in Sicily after she tested positive for the virus, accompanies his photographs in the Guardian of their confinement with a reflection on being confined :

The doctors asked me to take a second test, but again I tested negative. Perhaps I’m immune? The days dragged on in my apartment, in black and white, like my photos. Sometimes we tried to smile, imagining that I was asymptomatic, because I was the virus. Our smiles seemed to bring good news. My mother left hospital, but I won’t be able to see her for weeks. Marta started breathing well again, and so did I. I would have liked to photograph my country in the midst of this emergency, the battles that the doctors wage on the frontline, the hospitals pushed to their limits, Italy on its knees fighting an invisible enemy. That enemy, a day in March, knocked on my door instead.

In the New York Times Magazine, deputy editor Jessica Lustig writes with devastating clarity about her family’s life in Brooklyn while her husband battled the virus, weeks before most people began taking the threat seriously:

At the door of the clinic, we stand looking out at two older women chatting outside the doorway, oblivious. Do I wave them away? Call out that they should get far away, go home, wash their hands, stay inside? Instead we just stand there, awkwardly, until they move on. Only then do we step outside to begin the long three-block walk home. I point out the early magnolia, the forsythia. T says he is cold. The untrimmed hairs on his neck, under his beard, are white. The few people walking past us on the sidewalk don’t know that we are visitors from the future. A vision, a premonition, a walking visitation. This will be them: Either T, in the mask, or — if they’re lucky — me, tending to him.

Essayist Leslie Jamison writes in the New York Review of Books about being shut away alone in her New York City apartment with her 2-year-old daughter since she became sick:

The virus. Its sinewy, intimate name. What does it feel like in my body today? Shivering under blankets. A hot itch behind the eyes. Three sweatshirts in the middle of the day. My daughter trying to pull another blanket over my body with her tiny arms. An ache in the muscles that somehow makes it hard to lie still. This loss of taste has become a kind of sensory quarantine. It’s as if the quarantine keeps inching closer and closer to my insides. First I lost the touch of other bodies; then I lost the air; now I’ve lost the taste of bananas. Nothing about any of these losses is particularly unique. I’ve made a schedule so I won’t go insane with the toddler. Five days ago, I wrote Walk/Adventure! on it, next to a cut-out illustration of a tiger—as if we’d see tigers on our walks. It was good to keep possibility alive.

At Literary Hub, novelist Heidi Pitlor writes about the elastic nature of time during her family’s quarantine in Massachusetts:

During a shutdown, the things that mark our days—commuting to work, sending our kids to school, having a drink with friends—vanish and time takes on a flat, seamless quality. Without some self-imposed structure, it’s easy to feel a little untethered. A friend recently posted on Facebook: “For those who have lost track, today is Blursday the fortyteenth of Maprilay.” ... Giving shape to time is especially important now, when the future is so shapeless. We do not know whether the virus will continue to rage for weeks or months or, lord help us, on and off for years. We do not know when we will feel safe again. And so many of us, minus those who are gifted at compartmentalization or denial, remain largely captive to fear. We may stay this way if we do not create at least the illusion of movement in our lives, our long days spent with ourselves or partners or families.

Novelist Lauren Groff writes at the New York Review of Books about trying to escape the prison of her fears while sequestered at home in Gainesville, Florida:

Some people have imaginations sparked only by what they can see; I blame this blinkered empiricism for the parks overwhelmed with people, the bars, until a few nights ago, thickly thronged. My imagination is the opposite. I fear everything invisible to me. From the enclosure of my house, I am afraid of the suffering that isn’t present before me, the people running out of money and food or drowning in the fluid in their lungs, the deaths of health-care workers now growing ill while performing their duties. I fear the federal government, which the right wing has so—intentionally—weakened that not only is it insufficient to help its people, it is actively standing in help’s way. I fear we won’t sufficiently punish the right. I fear leaving the house and spreading the disease. I fear what this time of fear is doing to my children, their imaginations, and their souls.

At ArtForum , Berlin-based critic and writer Kristian Vistrup Madsen reflects on martinis, melancholia, and Finnish artist Jaakko Pallasvuo’s 2018 graphic novel Retreat , in which three young people exile themselves in the woods:

In melancholia, the shape of what is ending, and its temporality, is sprawling and incomprehensible. The ambivalence makes it hard to bear. The world of Retreat is rendered in lush pink and purple watercolors, which dissolve into wild and messy abstractions. In apocalypse, the divisions established in genesis bleed back out. My own Corona-retreat is similarly soft, color-field like, each day a blurred succession of quarantinis, YouTube–yoga, and televized press conferences. As restrictions mount, so does abstraction. For now, I’m still rooting for love to save the world.

At the Paris Review , Matt Levin writes about reading Virginia Woolf’s novel The Waves during quarantine:

A retreat, a quarantine, a sickness—they simultaneously distort and clarify, curtail and expand. It is an ideal state in which to read literature with a reputation for difficulty and inaccessibility, those hermetic books shorn of the handholds of conventional plot or characterization or description. A novel like Virginia Woolf’s The Waves is perfect for the state of interiority induced by quarantine—a story of three men and three women, meeting after the death of a mutual friend, told entirely in the overlapping internal monologues of the six, interspersed only with sections of pure, achingly beautiful descriptions of the natural world, a day’s procession and recession of light and waves. The novel is, in my mind’s eye, a perfectly spherical object. It is translucent and shimmering and infinitely fragile, prone to shatter at the slightest disturbance. It is not a book that can be read in snatches on the subway—it demands total absorption. Though it revels in a stark emotional nakedness, the book remains aloof, remote in its own deep self-absorption.

In an essay for the Financial Times, novelist Arundhati Roy writes with anger about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anemic response to the threat, but also offers a glimmer of hope for the future:

Historically, pandemics have forced humans to break with the past and imagine their world anew. This one is no different. It is a portal, a gateway between one world and the next. We can choose to walk through it, dragging the carcasses of our prejudice and hatred, our avarice, our data banks and dead ideas, our dead rivers and smoky skies behind us. Or we can walk through lightly, with little luggage, ready to imagine another world. And ready to fight for it.

From Boston, Nora Caplan-Bricker writes in The Point about the strange contraction of space under quarantine, in which a friend in Beirut is as close as the one around the corner in the same city:

It’s a nice illusion—nice to feel like we’re in it together, even if my real world has shrunk to one person, my husband, who sits with his laptop in the other room. It’s nice in the same way as reading those essays that reframe social distancing as solidarity. “We must begin to see the negative space as clearly as the positive, to know what we don’t do is also brilliant and full of love,” the poet Anne Boyer wrote on March 10th, the day that Massachusetts declared a state of emergency. If you squint, you could almost make sense of this quarantine as an effort to flatten, along with the curve, the distinctions we make between our bonds with others. Right now, I care for my neighbor in the same way I demonstrate love for my mother: in all instances, I stay away. And in moments this month, I have loved strangers with an intensity that is new to me. On March 14th, the Saturday night after the end of life as we knew it, I went out with my dog and found the street silent: no lines for restaurants, no children on bicycles, no couples strolling with little cups of ice cream. It had taken the combined will of thousands of people to deliver such a sudden and complete emptiness. I felt so grateful, and so bereft.

And on his own website, musician and artist David Byrne writes about rediscovering the value of working for collective good , saying that “what is happening now is an opportunity to learn how to change our behavior”:

In emergencies, citizens can suddenly cooperate and collaborate. Change can happen. We’re going to need to work together as the effects of climate change ramp up. In order for capitalism to survive in any form, we will have to be a little more socialist. Here is an opportunity for us to see things differently — to see that we really are all connected — and adjust our behavior accordingly. Are we willing to do this? Is this moment an opportunity to see how truly interdependent we all are? To live in a world that is different and better than the one we live in now? We might be too far down the road to test every asymptomatic person, but a change in our mindsets, in how we view our neighbors, could lay the groundwork for the collective action we’ll need to deal with other global crises. The time to see how connected we all are is now.

The portrait these writers paint of a world under quarantine is multifaceted. Our worlds have contracted to the confines of our homes, and yet in some ways we’re more connected than ever to one another. We feel fear and boredom, anger and gratitude, frustration and strange peace. Uncertainty drives us to find metaphors and images that will let us wrap our minds around what is happening.

Yet there’s no single “what” that is happening. Everyone is contending with the pandemic and its effects from different places and in different ways. Reading others’ experiences — even the most frightening ones — can help alleviate the loneliness and dread, a little, and remind us that what we’re going through is both unique and shared by all.

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Life During Lockdown Essay in English for Students – 10 Lines, 100 & 1000 Words

  • Entrance Exams
  • November 6, 2023

Life During Lockdown Essay in English – The COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 has disrupted our lives in ways we could have never imagined. Lockdowns, social distancing, and the sudden shift to remote learning have become the new normal for students around the world. Lockdowns were imposed in many parts of the world to curb the spread of the virus.

This essay explores the experiences of students during these challenging times and how their lives were affected by lockdowns. This article delves into the experiences, challenges, and resilience displayed by students during this trying time.

Also See – Mahatma Gandhi Essay in English in 500, 100 Words

About Lachit Borphukan in 10 Lines

Here, we have provided a brief overview of Life During Lockdown Essay – experience & Challenges in 10 lines.

  • Life during lockdown has been a unique and challenging experience for students worldwide.
  • Lockdowns forced a sudden shift to online education, with students facing technical issues and a need to adapt.
  • Social isolation and restrictions on gatherings led to feelings of loneliness and separation from friends.
  • Mental health concerns, such as stress and anxiety, became more prevalent among students.
  • Some students discovered new hobbies and interests, from art and music to cooking and writing.
  • Family time became more valuable as lockdowns brought loved ones closer together.
  • Reflection and personal growth became a focus for some students during the lockdown.
  • Online connections and virtual events offered ways to combat isolation and stay connected with peers.
  • The lockdown experience highlighted the resilience and adaptability of students in the face of adversity.
  • As we move beyond the pandemic, these experiences will be remembered as a time of transformation and change.

Write About Life During Lockdown Essay in 500 Words

Life During Lockdown: Adapting to a New Normal

Introduction

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 sent shockwaves through the world, disrupting almost every facet of daily life. One of the most significant changes brought about by the pandemic was the imposition of lockdowns to curb the spread of the virus. In this essay, we will explore the multifaceted experiences and challenges faced by individuals during these unprecedented times.

Online Education: A Digital Transformation

One of the most profound changes during lockdown was the abrupt shift from traditional classroom education to online learning. This transition had a profound impact on students of all ages. For students, it meant attending classes through a computer screen, submitting assignments electronically, and communicating with teachers and peers in virtual spaces. Online education offered flexibility but also presented various challenges, including technical issues, difficulties in maintaining focus in a home environment, and a lack of personal interaction with teachers and classmates.

Social Isolation: A Loneliness Epidemic

Lockdowns, with their strict restrictions on social gatherings and activities, resulted in a pervasive sense of social isolation. Students found themselves missing out on birthdays, parties, and extracurricular events. The inability to interact with friends in person took a toll on their mental health, leading to feelings of loneliness and separation from their social circles. Many students struggled to adapt to this new reality, where personal connections were limited to the digital realm.

Mental Health: Coping with Stress and Anxiety

The pandemic placed significant stress on students. Uncertainty, academic pressures, and the abrupt shift to online learning exacerbated pre-existing mental health issues and created new ones. Students grappled with stress and anxiety, trying to find effective coping mechanisms. Some turned to mindfulness and meditation to manage their mental well-being, while others maintained physical activity and exercise routines to alleviate stress. For many, seeking professional help became a crucial step in managing their mental health during lockdown.

Discovering New Interests: Hobbies as a Lifeline

Amid the challenges of lockdown, some students discovered a silver lining – the opportunity to explore new hobbies and interests. With extracurricular activities canceled and reduced homework, students found themselves with more free time on their hands. Some turned to creative outlets, such as art, music, writing, cooking, or other forms of self-expression. These new interests not only helped pass the time but also provided a sense of accomplishment and personal growth.

Quality Family Time: Strengthening Bonds

As lockdowns confined families to their homes, they had the chance to spend more quality time together. Parents and siblings became a source of support and companionship. Family dinners, movie nights, and long conversations became a cherished part of life during lockdown, fostering stronger connections and bonds among family members.

Reflection and Personal Growth: A Time for Transformation

For some students, lockdown provided an opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth. The slowed pace of life allowed them to set new goals, acquire new skills, and build resilience in the face of adversity. Many used this period of introspection to gain insights into their values, priorities, and aspirations.

Life during lockdown has been a journey filled with challenges and opportunities. The sudden shift to online education, the struggles of social isolation, and the impact on mental health have been significant. However, amidst these challenges, students have discovered new interests, strengthened family bonds, and embarked on personal journeys of growth and self-discovery. As the world moves forward beyond the pandemic, these experiences will serve as a testament to the adaptability and resilience of students in the face of unprecedented challenges. The lessons learned during this period will undoubtedly shape their lives and future endeavors.

Essay on Student Life in Lockdown

A Day in the Life of a Student in Lockdown

The COVID-19 pandemic, which swept the globe in 2020, has ushered in an era of unprecedented change. Lockdowns, social distancing, and remote learning have become the new reality for students worldwide. This article offers an in-depth exploration of a day in the life of a student during lockdown, comparing their current situation to pre-lockdown life and delving into the motivations that keep them going in these challenging times.

Pre-lockdown Life: A Time of Routine and Freedom

Morning Routine

Before the pandemic, students typically followed a well-defined morning routine. They would rise early, preparing themselves for the day ahead. Mornings often began with the pleasant aroma of breakfast and conversations with family members. Students would then embark on their daily commute to their respective educational institutions, be it school, college, or university. During this journey, they would interact with friends and classmates, share stories, and engage in light banter. The world was bustling with life, and students were an integral part of this vibrant ecosystem.

In-person Classes

In pre-lockdown life, students enjoyed the privilege of in-person learning. They would engage with their teachers face-to-face, have open discussions with peers, and participate in various extracurricular activities. The classrooms were alive with energy and enthusiasm as students actively participated in discussions, group projects, and hands-on learning experiences. Lunch breaks were a time for bonding with friends, and laughter filled the air as they shared meals and stories.

Afternoon and Evening

The afternoon and evening hours in pre-lockdown life were equally eventful. Students attended additional classes, worked on assignments, or participated in clubs and sports. The prospect of meeting friends after the day’s activities acted as a constant source of motivation. When the school day or college classes ended, students returned home in the late afternoon, bringing with them the excitement and experiences of the day. The evenings were a time for relaxation, socializing with friends, pursuing hobbies, and completing homework. Life had a sense of routine and normalcy.

Current Lockdown Life: A New Normal

In the wake of the pandemic, students have had to adapt to an entirely new routine. The early morning alarm still rings, but the circumstances have changed. Students now wake up at a different time, with more flexibility in their schedules. The day starts with a virtual breakfast, either with family members or alone, as the morning hustle and bustle of getting ready for a commute has been replaced by a more relaxed atmosphere. The absence of the daily commute is a significant change that many have come to appreciate.

Virtual Classes

Current lockdown life is defined by the transition to virtual education. Students have shifted from physical classrooms to virtual ones, attending lectures via video calls and web conferencing platforms. While this change offers flexibility in terms of location, it also presents various challenges. Staring at screens for prolonged periods can lead to screen fatigue, and maintaining focus within the distractions of a home environment can be difficult. The traditional classroom’s lively atmosphere and face-to-face interactions with teachers and peers have been replaced by a digital realm. While technology enables learning to continue, the loss of in-person interactions is palpable.

The afternoons and evenings for students in lockdown are a mix of academic responsibilities, self-study, and managing assignments. The energy and camaraderie of the physical campus are sorely missed. Students grapple with the absence of friends and the vibrancy of campus life. Evenings are largely spent indoors, with limited physical interaction with friends. This change has prompted students to turn to digital entertainment, such as movies, video games, and social media, to fill the void left by social interactions. The absence of physical engagement and extracurricular activities has left a vacuum in their daily lives.

Motivation in Lockdown: Finding Purpose

Dealing with Isolation

A significant challenge in the life of students during lockdown is dealing with isolation. The lack of social interaction, which was once an integral part of their daily routine, has left many feeling isolated and lonely. Students often turn to video calls and online chats to stay connected with friends and peers, seeking ways to bridge the gap created by physical distance. While virtual interactions are a lifeline, they can never fully replace the energy and spontaneity of in-person encounters.

Staying Motivated

Motivation during lockdown is an ongoing struggle. The lack of a physical classroom environment, the isolation from peers, and the blurred lines between home and school make it challenging for students to stay motivated. Self-discipline and time management become essential skills for maintaining productivity. Students often establish their own routines and set personal goals to ensure they stay on track academically. They use tools like to-do lists and time management apps to help them stay organized and focused on their studies.

To overcome the absence of physical extracurricular activities, students have turned to virtual alternatives. Online clubs, webinars, and workshops have become a source of motivation and engagement. These virtual activities provide students with a sense of community and an opportunity to pursue their interests and passions.

Coping with Uncertainty

The uncertainty surrounding the pandemic’s duration and its long-term effects on education and the job market has created anxiety and stress among students. Coping with this uncertainty is a significant aspect of their daily lives. Many students find inspiration in the resilience of the global community, witnessing how people come together in times of crisis. They draw strength from stories of individuals who have overcome adversity and have found innovative ways to adapt to the new normal.

For emotional support, students often turn to friends and family, engaging in open conversations about their fears and concerns. Many students have also sought professional counseling to help them navigate the emotional challenges posed by the pandemic.

A day in the life of a student during lockdown offers a stark contrast to the pre-lockdown routine. While pre-lockdown life was characterized by a structured daily schedule, in-person interactions, and a vibrant atmosphere, current lockdown life is marked by virtual classes, isolation, and a struggle for motivation. However, students have displayed remarkable adaptability and resilience in the face of these challenges. They have found ways to cope with isolation, stay motivated, and deal with the uncertainty brought about by the pandemic.

As the world continues to navigate the complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic, the experiences of students during lockdown serve as a testament to their ability to adapt to challenging circumstances. Their determination and resilience are shaping their lives and will undoubtedly influence their future endeavors. While the journey has been filled with challenges, it has also offered opportunities for personal growth and a deeper understanding of the importance of community, adaptability, and perseverance in the face of adversity.

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The Coronavirus Crisis

Personal essay: coronavirus lockdown is a 'living hell'.

A Resident Of Wuhan

Editor's note: The author of this essay asked for anonymity for fear of reprisals by authorities for speaking critically of the Chinese government.

essay in lockdown

The government lockdown orders in Wuhan, China, have emptied the city's streets. Stringer for NPR hide caption

The government lockdown orders in Wuhan, China, have emptied the city's streets.

As residents of Wuhan, China, my family and I are living in hell.

The city has been locked down for more than a month. Every night before falling asleep I have been confronted by an unreal feeling and many questions:

Read This Essay In Chinese

To read this essay in Chinese, click here.

I know that coronavirus is the reason for the lockdown — but did life in Wuhan have to become a living hell?

Why were we notified about the city lockdown at 2 a.m. on the second to last morning before the Lunar New Year?

Why have I not been given any instructions from a government officer about how to cope when an entire city is on lockdown?

I'm nearly 30 years old. My family members and I have devoted ourselves to our jobs to build a better life — and we have largely succeeded. There's only a little more to do before we reach the level of middle class.

But along the way, things did not go exactly as I'd hoped. I have been working hard in school since I was small. My dream was to become a journalist, and I passed the test to enter the best school for journalism in China.

After school, I learned that government supervision of the media meant that telling the truth was not an option. So I gave up my dream and turned to another career.

I kept telling myself that my hard work would reward me in my personal life. And to protect myself, I decided to shut up, to be silent about politics — even when I saw people treated unfairly by the government. I thought that if I followed that path, I would be secure, I would be one of the fortunate ones.

Now I realize that this is an illusion. A secure life is not an option with a political system that does not give us freedom to speak out and that does not communicate with us truthfully.

At the moment when the city was first locked down, I hoped with all my heart that China's political system, known for concentrating resources to get big jobs done, could save the Wuhanese. But infected patients were treated in the hospital in Wuhan as early as the beginning of December, and for unknown reasons, the government held off informing the public and taking effective action.

So they missed the best window of prevention due to this cover-up.

That knowledge has made me fall into desperation. The order to lock down the city appeared from nowhere on Jan. 23 at 2 a.m., without any sign or explanation to residents — even though everyone knew what was up.

People rushed to shop at 24-hour convenience stores at 3 a.m. to gather necessary food and other items. We tried every method to escape from Wuhan, but the cage was already locked.

On new year's eve, Jan. 24, I watched the glorious performances from a gala aired on CCTV, Chinese television. But our celebratory meal was sparse, pieced together from the few ingredients I'd been able to buy in that last-minute shopping trip.

Then on the second day of the new year, another order arrived out of the blue, notifying us that the Wuhanese shall not drive. But this order only survived for less than six hours — perhaps because the authorities realized that, with public transportation shut down, cars would be needed to drive medical staffers to work and back home. So community officers called upon residents of Wuhan to provide rides for many of these workers — and to get permits to do this driving. Under the pressure of massive criticism, the government had to revoke this order for residents to provide rides.

Other orders were issued that reflected the chaos. Residents were asked to donate rice and oil to feed the medical staffers at Wuhan's top hospital since there was not enough food to guarantee meals for them. But we are the taxpayers. Shouldn't the government be able to provide?

From former schoolmates who now work in the medical profession, I learned that medical workers were not given medical supplies and were exposed to a risk of death. Many people wonder: Why didn't they go on strike? It is because they were informed that if they went on strike, their licenses to practice medicine would be revoked and their family members' jobs would be affected.

Before this coronavirus, I always thought it was OK to sacrifice some level of democracy and freedom for better living conditions. But now I have changed my attitude. Without democracy and freedom, the truth of the outbreak in Wuhan would never be known.

What has happened in Wuhan is as if your house caught on fire and all your neighbors knew but forbade you from jumping out of the window. Only until the fire is out of control, and the entire town ablaze, do they slowly begin taking responsibility while highlighting their own heroic efforts.

Not everyone has the same privileges and rights. Because I knew how to get outside of the Great Firewall that blocks the Internet, I was able to obtain masks.

The younger generations, born after 1995 and in the 2000s, have good impressions about the Chinese system, putting the nation before all because they have been living in an era of prosperity and have yet to experience adversity.

The things that happened during this outbreak have greatly surprised those kids. For example, a young man scolded others on Weibo in the early days of the outbreak. He accused them of spreading rumors and argued that if we don't trust the government, there is nothing we can trust. Later, he said, when a member of his family was infected with the coronavirus but was unable to get treatment in the overcrowded hospital, he cursed and called for help.

When Li Wenliang, one of the doctors who first reported a mysterious SARS-like illness, died of the disease himself, a student commented on the Internet: "It was just the virus that killed him, so we should focus on the epidemics." But then the student's dormitory was appropriated for quarantine patients — and he was shocked and dismayed.

This is the lesson these young people are learning. When someone says we can accomplish something but we must pay a price, do not rush to applaud.

One day you may become the price that is paid.

There is a saying in Chinese that has taken on new meaning in this coronavirus era: "When the stick hits my own head, I finally understand the pain — and why some others once cried out of pain."

Perhaps it is true that only China can build a hospital in 10 days, only China can mobilize so many people to devote themselves to the anti-epidemic agenda, only China can lock down a city with millions of people at lightning speed.

But people are not thinking critically. They do not understand that if we had human rights, democracy and freedom, we would have learned about what happened in Wuhan one month earlier. And the first whistleblower would not have died for nothing.

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Things we learned to appreciate more during covid-19 lockdown, curfews helped tomislav’s family appreciate the value of living in an intergenerational household and spending quality time together.

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The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is of a scale most people alive today have never seen. Lockdowns and curfews to contain the spread of the virus impacted the way children learn, the way their families earn a living, and how safe they feel in their homes and communities. Despite the ongoing threat, countries around the world are starting to lift restrictions. As we question whether we will ever go back to what we once knew to be “normal”, its worth taken a step back to see how we can build on what we have learned to build back a better world for children.

As a journalist, UNICEF photographer Tomislav Georgiev was one of the rare professionals with a permit to go out during the curfews and capture images of the deserted streets of the capital. But he discovered that in times like this, the most valuable images can be found closer to home. He turned his lenses from the outside world to capture photos of his own family with a loving eye. In a household where four generations live together, Tomislav captured scenes of play, family celebrations, sharing, exploring and learning new skills.

“I realized that no matter how much time we think we have; at the end of the day, what I came to appreciate was that we simply don’t spend enough quality time with our families,” says Tomislav.

Photographer’s daughters Ana (7) builds towers from stone tiles that were left over from the paving of the yard.

Days in lockdown were an opportunity for children to reinvent ways of play and learning,  exploring their immediate environment and making the most of what they had available. Building resilience in children is one way we help them to cope in difficult moments.

After tiding up their room that served as a playground during the longest curfew lasting 61 hours, twins Ana and Kaya (7) turn the broom into a horse that they both ride on.

Curfews were also a time to help children learn responsibility and their role in contributing in   our own way to find a solution to collective problems. “The silent understanding of my children was simply astonishing. We stay home, no questions asked, no demands to go and play with friends. Their lives have completely changed, yet they seem to grasp the importance of their contribution better than most adults,” says Tomislav.

Photographer’s daughters Lea (10), the twins Ana and Kaya (7) and their cousin Stela (3) use watercolors to paint stones as a gift to their grandmother.

During curfews many learned about the importance of being creative with the scarce resources and limited physical space they had at home. Also, many came to appreciate that small acts of kindness and gratitude to other family members helps to boost emotional wellbeing.

Photographer's daughter Kaja (7) learns how to sew with her eighty-seven-year-old great-grandfather Trajche in the tailors workshop they have in their family home. Kaja wants to learn how to sew dresses for her dolls.

Some even learned new skills but what matters most is learning to appreciate the emotional connections made between different generations.  Its these connections that help us to develop the emotional resilience’s we need to get through stressful times.

Photographer's niece Stela (3) and cousins (photographer's daughters" Lea (10) and twins Ana and Kaja (7) are first to be seated and served Easter lunch by photographer’s wife and mother-in-law.

“It is true – this crisis has taken its toll on humanity. However, it also provided an opportunity for generations to unite and perhaps begun to shape our younger generations to think differently about their own individual roles and how we as individuals can all contribute in our own way to find a solution to collective problems,” says Tomislav.

UNICEF remains committed to its mission to provide essential support, protection and information as well as hope of a brighter day for every child. UNICEF stands united with one clear promise to the world: we will get through this together, for every child .

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Ministry of Health, USAID, UNICEF and WHO launch “Protected Together – Vaccines Work” Information and Vaccination Caravan

Children cannot afford prolonged disruptions to learning

COVID-19 vaccine caravan brings information and vaccines closer to citizens

Ministry of Health supported by WHO, UNICEF and USAID is organizing a caravan to bring COVID-19 information and vaccines closer to citizens

essay in lockdown

Lockdown diaries: the everyday voices of the coronavirus pandemic

essay in lockdown

Senior Lecturer in Social Science, Swansea University

Disclosure statement

Michael Ward does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Swansea University provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK.

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A diary is by its very nature an intensely personal thing. It’s a place to record our most intimate thoughts and worries about the world around us. In other words, it is a glimpse at our state of mind.

Now, the coronavirus pandemic, and the impact of the lockdown, have left many people isolated and scared about what the future might bring. As a sociologist, I was keen to hear how people were experiencing this totally new way of life. So in early March I began the CoronaDiaries – a sociological study which aimed to highlight the real voices and the everyday experiences of the pandemic by collecting the accounts of people up and down the UK, before, during and after the crisis.

From the frontline health worker concerned about PPE and exposure to COVID-19, to the furloughed engineer worried about his mental health, these are the voices of the pandemic. Entries take a variety of forms, such as handwritten or word-processed diaries, blogs, social media posts, photos, videos, memes and other submissions like songs, poems, shopping lists, dream logs and artwork. So far, the study has recruited 164 participants, from 12 countries, aged between 11 and 87. These people come from a range of backgrounds.

essay in lockdown

This article is part of Conversation Insights The Insights team generates long-form journalism derived from interdisciplinary research. The team is working with academics from different backgrounds who have been engaged in projects aimed at tackling societal and scientific challenges.

When I began this project in March, I did not expect the study to prove so popular. I have been studying and working as a sociologist for nearly 20 years and most of my research so far has looked at how young men experience education, gender roles and social inequality.

Like many of us, I was wondering how I could be of use at this time, do my bit in the crisis and make the most of my skills. As the weeks have gone by and more and more people have signed up, I’ve realised this project isn’t just a research study to understand how society is being made and remade – it is also providing hope and acting as a cathartic coping tool for people. While some of the documents have made me cry, especially those from already vulnerable people, others have made me laugh and have been a joy to read. I feel as though I am on a journey with the participants as we move through the crisis.

Reading the entries, what becomes clear as the lockdown is eased is that this pandemic has been – and will continue to be – experienced in very different ways across society. For some, the crisis has been an opportunity, but for others, who are already in a disadvantaged position, it is a very frightening experience.

March – first days

The frontline health worker

Emma is in her late 30s, and a frontline health worker in a rural location in Wales. Like many key workers, Emma is also juggling family life and caring responsibilities. In a diary entry written in mid-march, Emma foresaw issues with PPE in the NHS.

On my shifts over the previous weekend, it became apparent how unprepared we are. I was working on a ‘clean’ ward and four of the patients were found to potentially be infected. There were no clinical indications they were potentially infected on admission and had been nursed without PPE for two days. We may have all been exposed, as these patients are suspected to have COVID-19. We have been given bare bones PPE. It was quite sobering when a rapid response was called and the doctors refused to enter the cubicle without FFP3 masks , blue gown and visor.

essay in lockdown

Emma said the equipment “magically turned up” after the doctors took this stand but said the sight of them all in surgical gowns, helmets and visors “did verge on the ridiculous”. She added:

I did find it amusing – we’re looking at the doctors wanting their protection and they are looking at the consultant wanting his! It did feel like a farce. Fortunately, the patient was made stable and went to surgery for another issue. But the whole episode was worrying, particularly the crappy surgical mask and aprons we are provided. It’s also galling that they have told staff there is no PPE when clearly there is. Can’t help but think a lack of information is creating fear amongst staff. It’s also weird they aren’t testing staff unless they’re symptomatic. This is crazy when they are so dependent on bank and agency workers who move around.

The worried mum

Beth, 35, is a mother of two young children who lives in a busy city. In the early days of the crisis, she hid her fears from her children. Here is a snapshot from her written diary:

I didn’t sleep well last night, didn’t help I watched the news before going to sleep. Then looked at my phone and full of corona news … Today was the big announcement from Boris (Friday, March 20) ‘to stay in’! Even though he had been saying this all week, the tone and manner of the broadcast was so scary and serious. I felt scared for my family and it just made me fearful of what is to come. I rang my mum straight away … [she] could hear my fear. After a good chat … my mum … remind[ed] me ‘we are all well at this moment’ and to focus on that. My daughter cried later that evening. I said, ‘what are you scared of’ to which she replied, ‘I’m not sure mummy, I don’t know what I am scared of.’ Which made me realise that I need to be brave and make sure that both kids are reassured. Later that evening, I felt tearful and just feeling overwhelmed by the whole situation. How stupid too, because we are all safe.

Read more: How to help with school at home: don't talk like a teacher

The student

Audrey, 21, goes to a university in Birmingham and is in the final months of her degree. The rupture of “normal” student life became clear when the full scale of the lockdown came into force, causing her housemates to leave their shared house.

I’d just lost all three of my housemates, who’d returned to Barbados, Spain and France – literally one day after each other. My landlord really kindly agreed that my sister could stay with me – and she won’t even charge any rent. I almost cried when I got that message. I was having a facetime with my friend, where we paused to watch Boris Johnson’s speech (March 23). It was so scary because we were effectively in lockdown. I had told my sister that I thought it was about to happen earlier in the day, she didn’t believe me – and then unfortunately it came true! I told her to jump on the train from Manchester.

Audrey went on to write how some of her fellow students set up a food bank in one of the student accommodations near her and that she is determined help where she can. But despite her altruistic efforts, the lockdown was still taking its toll.

I feel deflated from everything. I chatted to a friend over Messenger and she suggested I paint something. I painted this rainbow and felt so much better at the end. I added in my favourite quote that gets [me] through any hard times and stuck it on the window.

essay in lockdown

April – settling in

The cleaner

Eva is a self-employed cleaner, in her mid 50s, who lives in South Wales with her husband, John, who works in a factory making hand sanitiser. As the lockdown entered its second month, she reflected on her relationship with the woman who worked for her and how differently the pandemic was effecting them both.

Today I am cleaning the community centre, which since the lockdown, is running as a food bank three days a week … I bleach everything, door handles, floors, everything. Most staff work from home at the moment so we are going in the morning until all this is over. I’m glad I’m still in business for Beverly, who works with me, as much as anything. I’m her only income, but if I don’t work, I don’t get paid. We have a cigarette break outside and I remind Beverly to stay apart. ‘What, beans for brekkie, was it?’ I laugh. Beverly really doesn’t care about COVID – like many others I meet, who believe if they get it, they get it.

essay in lockdown

For once I’m glad I’m a worrier, plus I’m not ready to die yet. We are out of there early as no staff equals less mess. I break it to Beverly that I can’t give her a lift home for now. Last week I made her sit in the back [of the car] which felt faintly ridiculous, but John advised even that’s too close. Beverly shrugs and says that’s fine. Her son died unexpectedly two years ago and now she accepts hardship with ease. I feel bad as her life really is crap and now she has to walk two miles home.

The teacher

Sophia is a teacher in her 40s and based in the south of England. She is trying to home school her children during the lockdown and being a parent and a teacher is proving challenging.

We began the day slightly differently with an online PE lesson from someone called Joe Wicks, or The Body Coach. He’s been really popular during the lockdown and a few of my friends recommended the 30-minute workout session he does every day at 9am, so I thought we’d give it a go! Unfortunately, my two have the concentration spans of goldfish so it didn’t go according to plan! My son ended up lying upside down, with his legs on a chair and his head on the floor and my daughter said he moved too fast, before promptly falling on her behind! The only problem with changing the routine was that we were then 30 minutes late for home school and my son does not cope well with change. He needs quite a rigid structure, with clearly defined timings and any changes can be detrimental. The speed of the school lockdown was particularly challenging: school gives his day structure and taking it away so abruptly was very difficult for him.

The civil servant

Sarah is a civil servant in her mid-60s working in a pivotal role for HM Revenue and Customs. She used her diary to document the rapid changes which have taken place in her organisation since the lockdown and how working from home was becoming “normal” from March 23.

My department is changing so quickly – we have introduced a new i-form to promote more ‘web chat’. This is proving popular with the public. We are trialling taking incoming telephone calls at home. We are all now working from home when we can, no more car sharing, unless it’s with someone you live with – we must keep two metres apart. I am beginning to accept that this is a crisis, once in a generation, completely alien to us. Will life in the future be remembered as ‘before and after’ COVID-19? For the first time in many years I feel so proud to work where I do…I understand, possibly for the first time, why we are ‘key workers’. We have a letter as proof to show the police if we are ever stopped whilst travelling into work and NCP carparks are free for us to use if we come into work! No better validation than that!

essay in lockdown

The furloughed engineer

Lucas, a man in his late 30s from Northern Ireland, is finding the pandemic difficult on multiple levels. It’s a trigger for his mental health, but also it is a reminder of past troubles.

Nightmare. Anxiety, fear, dread, no way to burn off the angst, worry upon worry, like how the inside of my head can be at times. Then there’s the ones that are really in the middle of it, nurses dying because there was no proper PPE at the right time, people losing parents, friends, and IMHO worst of all, kids.

Lucas writes about how he stopped watching the news because in an attempt to “avoid anxiety”. He adds:

I grew up in Northern Ireland during ‘the troubles’ and it was totally normal for me to watch the news every night at tea time [6pm] and hear of various paramilitary groups killing people. That was 100% normal to me. Looking back watching the news in those times did me no good. Sure, I know some facts about it all, but do I feel any better for it … Same as now, I’m going to try to ride this out with my hands over my ears and my head in the sand at times.

Read more: Coronavirus: a growing number of people are avoiding news

The academic

Jack, 72, is a retired academic who used his diary to comment on societal problems. One of which is the narrative of what the “new normal” is and how society is being remade.

April 29 saw the return of Boris, who was to ‘take control of the problem’. An almost religious return for someone who came back from being nearly dead on Easter Sunday! It seems we are being told to be ready for the new normal which again raises the issue of what post-lockdown will be like. On the web I don’t see sociologists rushing in to think about this new normal! A Google search suggests that the new normal is being constructed largely by those in business and is largely focused on the new normal being a more exaggerated (and better?) version of the old normal – more globalisation, more focus on customers and so on. There is little ‘thinking outside the box’.

Read more: What will the world be like after coronavirus? Four possible futures

May – Looking forward

The bell-ringer

Daniel, a man in his mid-20s, had just started a new relationship in February with a woman he met while bell-ringing at a church in the Midlands. However, both he and his girlfriend live apart and have not seen each other since the lockdown began. Over the past few months, Daniel has found this a challenge, but has documented how their relationship has been maintained virtually and through the help of keeping a diary.

essay in lockdown

Suzy and I have got to know each other a lot quicker and a lot better than what we may have done otherwise, and whilst we do miss each other immensely, it’ll make the good times so much better when we do see each other next. Whenever and however we get out of this, I am determined that I will have made the most of these extraordinary circumstances.

This is just a glimpse of the stories that have been gathered by the CoronaDiaries project, but already patterns are emerging. While this crisis is undoubtedly impacting on people across the globe, what is clear from these accounts is that there are multiple crises across everyday life – for the young, the old, for mothers and for fathers and for those from different class, gender and ethnic backgrounds. These entries are able to highlight the multiple different lives behind the dreaded numbers we hear announced each day.

My diarists have been recording how they feel vulnerable and uncertain about their future – but there is also hope that things will not be like this forever.

The evidence which is being gathered here can play an important part in addressing the social, political and economic changes created by the COVID-19 pandemic. This type of analysis will foster global awareness of crucial issues that can help support specific public health responses to better control future outbreaks and to better prepare people for future problems. The study will run until September and all accounts will then be available to view in a free digital online archive.

All the names used in this piece have been changed at the request of the study participants.

essay in lockdown

For you: more from our Insights series :

Lockdown lessons from the history of solitude

What will the world be like after coronavirus? Four possible futures

The end of the world: a history of how a silent cosmos led humans to fear the worst

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Working through the boredom: Essays from lockdown

Somehow, we’ve made it over halfway through term and yet it feels like basically no time has passed. It’s been over two months since the vast majority of us were in Oxford, but without any real kind of change or milestones, life has started to feel worryingly like Groundhog Day.

In the midst of this, I’ve found myself working notably more than usual. This is certainly not a universal reaction to the ongoing crisis; I know that a lot of people around me are really struggling to work at all. I can understand why, I’ve never wanted to do work less – and yet, I’ve never really needed it more.

Work-life balance has effectively been thrown out of the window because there’s just not a whole lot of life going on outside of work. There’s only so many Zoom pub quizzes and socially distanced walks you can do before it too becomes part of the overwhelming sameness of lockdown. I’ve found myself clinging onto work like a raft that can protect me from my greatest fear at the moment: boredom. When I don’t have things to be doing for my degree, I find myself desperately hunting for summer internships (the end of term is looming worryingly near and with it a vast sea of nothingness), or writing articles (like this one!). The thought of having to sit alone with no kind of distraction from the ongoing situation frankly terrifies me.

I’ve found myself clinging onto work like a raft that can protect me from my greatest fear at the moment: boredom.

At the same time, work has become significantly more difficult. A side effect of inhabiting the same spaces constantly is that there’s very little new stimulation – there’s only so many walks you can go on before you’ve covered the majority of your surroundings. For me, this has led to a feeling of having a fog over my brain, one that can’t be shaken by just walking to a different library. I’ve never really experienced an essay crisis, and yet now they are an almost regular occurrence.

The usual rhythms of term have been entirely disrupted. Usually, there are significant peaks and troughs in stress, like before an essay deadline, or after you’ve finished a reading list. Now, even though the same work still exists, there’s no real release once it’s been submitted, because it’s not exactly as though you can go on a club night with your friends and celebrate. Instead, you’re left just sort of staring at your laptop screen, and maybe the fun treat of yet another Netflix episode. Everything is significantly more dialled down, so instead of an all nighter in a library followed by a wonderful day in the sun, there’s a constant sense of stress that is never fully alleviated. While 5th week blues definitely still exists, it doesn’t really feel all that much different than the sensation that the rest of this term has carried with it.

In some ways, this situation is a great insight into what life would be like if everything was more heavily digitalised. Our social lives are now almost exclusively online, as well as our leisure and learning time. Besides the fun side effect of eye strain (surprisingly painful?), I’ve noticed that it’s become a lot more difficult to justify time spent away from screens when there’s so little to do away from screens. For years, the overwhelming rhetoric in the media has been one of condemning our generation’s technology usage, and yet here we are, in a world where this is not only normal but also the only safe way of continuing onwards.

I’ve noticed that it’s become a lot more difficult to justify time spent away from screens when there’s so little to do away from screens.

Life online doesn’t seem to have quite the same texture to it as the real world. I study a humanities subject, and a lot of my contact hours are made up of discussion-based learning, but it just doesn’t seem to function in the same way in an online setting. The physical space of the classroom becomes flattened, so that if two people talk at the same time it becomes difficult to discern what either is saying. This has led to such a high level of turn-taking in conversation that debate loses its engaging quality, and I come away from classes feeling intellectually quite blank.

The same happens when you try to recreate group settings, like in Zoom calls with your friends. In ordinary life, it is normal for there to be several ongoing discussions at once. When everyone’s talking at the same volume, you’re forced into a scenario where the entire group is often listening to one person at a time, which makes everything you say just feel like it has a bit more pressure on it.

That my biggest problems right now are boredom and loneliness is an exceptionally privileged position to be in. There are people in unbearable living situations, or people that have become ill, or lost family and friends. Being bored is really quite a lucky state of being. Still, I look forward to a time beyond this, when everything feels a little less flat, and I’m back in Oxford again.

Photo by Jason Mowry on Unsplash

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COVID-19 Lockdown: My Experience

A picture of a teenage girl

When the lockdown started, I was ecstatic. My final year of school had finished early, exams were cancelled, the sun was shining. I was happy, and confident I would be OK. After all, how hard could staying at home possibly be? After a while, the reality of the situation started to sink in.

The novelty of being at home wore off and I started to struggle. I suffered from regular panic attacks, frozen on the floor in my room, unable to move or speak. I had nightmares most nights, and struggled to sleep. It was as if I was stuck, trapped in my house and in my own head. I didn't know how to cope.

However, over time, I found ways to deal with the pressure. I realised that lockdown gave me more time to the things I loved, hobbies that had been previously swamped by schoolwork. I started baking, drawing and writing again, and felt free for the first time in months. I had forgotten how good it felt to be creative. I started spending more time with my family. I hadn't realised how much I had missed them.

Almost a month later, I feel so much better. I understand how difficult this must be, but it's important to remember that none of us is alone. No matter how scared, or trapped, or alone you feel, things can only get better.  Take time to revisit the things you love, and remember that all of this will eventually pass. All we can do right now is stay at home, look after ourselves and our loved ones, and look forward to a better future.

View the discussion thread.

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How do teenagers live in lockdown? – photo essay

Jean-Marc Caimi and Valentina Piccinni investigated how Italian teenagers were coping with the coronavirus lockdown, working with them to take pictures using video chat apps

S ome can’t wait to go out again, others don’t really want to, happy to stay home connected to the outside world only through their computer. Some are worried about the virus and others, instead, are more concerned about the climate crisis. To give an answer to this important question, we adopted the same means teenagers use to study and communicate within their community. Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp … these video chats were our eyes to take the pictures, remotely.

Teens (and their parents) allowed us to take snapshots using the camera of their computers, tablets or mobile phones, at home, in their bedroom or where they are spending the quarantine, while they study, read, chat, play music, watch TV or exercise.

This gives a unique portrait of generation Z.

Rami attends the secondary school in Rome. He’s passionate about computers, gaming and coding. Rami is 16 and was born in Jordan.

Rami attends secondary school in Rome. He’s passionate about computers, gaming and app developing. Rami is 16 and was born in Jordan.

I consider myself a very sedentary person . Usually during the school holidays I tend to stay at home most of the time. Quarantine is not affecting what I would normally do with all this extra free time.

One of the things that changed is the shifting of my schedule . Since I don’t have to wake up at 6am , I started to wake up later and later, and as a result I ended up having lunch, dinner, and going to bed at least two hours after my usual time.

The last time I went out it was two days before the quarantine started, with some friends . I don’t feel the need to go out yet.

Viola, 15, attends the International School of Tanganyika in Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania

Viola, 15, attends the International School of Tanganyika in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. She’s been living there for four years with her parents, who are doctors. She spends her quarantine days studying, learning guitar, listening to music and video chatting with friends.

From the reaction of the Tanzanians, it does not seem people are worried. Here people continue to go to the market, to church or mosques for religious celebrations, as if nothing happened. Unlike Europe , here it is very difficult to ask people to stay at home. Tanzania is a poor country and people live from day to day and earn the little money they will need to buy food. So it is very difficult to ask for a total closure. Here in Dar Es Salaam, water and soap dispensers have been put everywhere and in all the shops the temperature is checked before entering.

Viola attends an online class with her classmates.

Viola sent us some photos that represent her life in quarantine in her house in Dar es Salaam: Viola attending an online class. Right; her father and little brother.

Viola sends us some snaps that represents her life in quarantine in her house in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Here with her father and little brother.

The school has been closed for three weeks. Yesterday, we were told it will be closed for the rest of the school year. Many of my classmates have returned to their countries and so have the teachers. We now do school online from 8.30am to 2.30pm on Zoom. Some of the teachers who have returned to the U S make video calls late in the evening, others have the backdrop of their hometown snowy landscapes, while it is very hot here in Dar!

During the day, apart from web-school and homework, I contact friends, both Italian and from my school here in Tanzania. I can read and listen to music much more than usual. In the afternoon I often take a walk with my dog.

From this experience I have noticed how we kids often don’t enjoy the simple things we have, such as going out with friends. Now that we can’t, we are realising the importance of these little things. Surely, when it’s all over, we’ll be more grateful for what we have.

Alice, 16, lives on the outskirts of Rome and has access to a big garden. This makes the quarantine days easier for her to stand. She’s very good at drawing, and has plans to move to Portsmouth in the autumn to attend an English school year-long programme.

Alice, 16, lives on the outskirts of Rome and has access to a big garden. This makes the quarantine days easier for her to stand. She’s very good at drawing, and has plans to move to Portsmouth in the autumn to attend an English school year-long programme.

Staying at home is difficult, more than anything else, because I can’t see my friends in person. Apart from not going to school and participating in extra-curricular activity, the only different thing is not going out with my friends.

Alice, her sister and their mother make face masks, which are difficult to find in her area.

The connection is often slow and the video freezes, so classes are much more difficult to follow. The upsides are probably the comfort of being at home and not being seen by teachers.

I worry a lot and also wonder whether this virus will ruin my summer . I ’m probably more concerned about the coronavirus than global warming .

Chiara connects with us via Zoom and selects her favourite TV series Money Heist as a background. She’s very good student, she’s a class representative and politically active.

Chiara connects with us via Zoom and selects her favourite TV series Money Heist as a background. She’s very good student, she’s a class representative and politically active.

Obviously I miss my friends and going out, but I get along well with my family and maybe I’ve always been a bit lazy, so adapting wasn’t difficult. Instead of going out with friends, on Saturday nights I watch movies or series with my family, something nobody had time to do before.

I spend most of my days studying, but I also have virtual meetings with my collective mates and chat with my friends, but physically it is different and I miss th at aspect.

At first it took me a while to realise what was really happening, but hearing the number of deaths on the news or listening to the stories of my uncle, who is a doctor in the Bergamo area – where the virus hit hardest – has frighten ed me. But I’m quite optimistic : if we all respect the rules, and stay at home we will be able to get out of this situation.

Chiara sent us some pictures representing her lockdown days.

Chiara sent us some pictures representing her lockdown days.

Sunbathing and revising on the terrace.

W e feel the virus is hitting closer to home and therefore the instinctive reaction of fear is greater . It ’s more difficult to realise the damage climate breakdown will bring . The complications caused by the virus are perhaps a consequence of the climate crisis, as studies show the areas most affected are also the most polluted. On the other hand, the lockdown is reducing emissions and thus improving the health of our planet.

This experience made us realise our lives had become too hectic and consumerist, which is why we waited too long before completely block ing the economy. The courage to stop it earlier would have prevented many deaths.

Anita, 15, attends the second year of Pilo Albertelli high school in Rome.

Anita, 15, attends the second year of Pilo Albertelli high school in Rome. She is a brilliant student and spends most of her quarantine days doing web-schooling and homework. She loves writing and reading but also doing sports. She’s a long-jumper.

Sometimes I feel the lockdown is an opportunity to rest from the fren zy and to try things I didn’t have time to do before. Other times, I feel tired of living like this – and the fact that I can’t go out drives me crazy. I miss going to school, I miss athletics and seeing my friends, but I also feel lucky because I ’m healthy and in a comfortable home. Having lunch with my whole family is new – that was not a daily habit before.

During the day I read and watch TV series. Sometimes I make video calls with my friends, sometimes I draw. We are lucky at least to be able to continue to study and see our classmates and teachers, but there are internet connection problems and distance learning is more difficult .

I’m worried about the victims and that someone I know might get sick. I’m scared that hospitals are overloaded and there aren’t enough doctors . Despite the lock down we’re doing well in the family, but I’m amazed at how much I miss school.

I ’ve learned that life and our habits can change in a second. I have never thought about this before, but in many other parts of the world this often happens. Then I learned to wash my hands very well!

Chiara B, is attending the second year at the Italian school in Madrid, where she lives with her family

Chiara B attends the second year at the Italian school in Madrid, where she lives with her family. She’s a Hollywood film fan and she wants to become a director of photography. Spain is among the countries worst-hit by the pandemic. She spends her lockdown days learning to play the guitar, watching movies and studying.

Since I don’t go out of the house any more and I don’t have any more commitments, life is less hectic. This allows me to think more, but sometimes, I get lost in distressing thoughts ( for example, about our future). I miss being able to meet friends in person very much.

I have more time now. I can write more, work out every day, read and work on personal projects . Apart from web school and homework, I mostly video-chat to my friends.

At the beginning distance learning was exciting . I paid more attention to classes because it was new. But as the weeks go by, it gets harder to stay focused in front of a screen.

I am more concerned about the climate crisis tha n the virus, but it took a pandemic for this phenomenon to slow down, at least a little bit. I keep myself informed, but in a very superficial way. The numbers frighten me enough and frighten the whole of Spain .

Julien, 15, was born in Rome from a French father. He’s passionate about maths and science. He spends his lockdown days mainly studying. He doesn’t feel the urge to go out. He just went jogging a couple of times to stay fit, he’s a high jump athlete.

Julien, 15, was born in Rome but has a French father. He’s passionate about maths and science. He spends his lockdown days mainly studying. He doesn’t feel the urge to go out. He just went jogging a couple of times to stay fit. He’s a high-jump athlete.

The obligation to stay at home does not cause me any stress at all: I am very homely and do not feel the need to go out. School and homework aside, I spend my days mainly on my mobile phone or computer. I seldom go jogging.

The web school works well, we have regular lessons every day (even too many!). It’s nice that it’s easier to consult books during the tests .

I don’t miss the fact that I can’t physically meet my friends . I’m happy even if we only see each other virtually during video calls.

The view from Julien’s room.

The view from Julien’s room..

The living room where Julien does his homework and spends much of his time with his mum.

The living room where Julien does his homework and spends much of his time with his mum. The view from Julien’s living room window on to the courtyard of a residential area in Rome.

I ’m not very worried about what is happening because of the virus in the world. I ’m not too up to date on how the pandemic is developing; I watch the news from time to time. I think when this is over, everything will go back to the way it was before.

Sofia, 15, plays bass in a rock band. She loves horror movies.

Sofia, 15, plays bass in a rock band. She’s loves horror movies.

I have more time to think and do what I want to do when I get back from school. On Fridays I play with a band, but now I can’t.

A screenshot of a chat with friends with special effects provided by the application.

A screenshot of a chat with friends. Sofia is a keen photographer – this is the view from her room, where she spends most of the quarantine time.

Sofia is a very good photographer and this is the view from her room, where she spends most of the quarantine time.

Sofia is likes classical thrillers and horror movies..

The video lessons aren’t bad, the only thing I don’t like is that nobody shows their face – that would be nice . The way we do web schooling is like listening to a recorded voice and it’s boring.

I miss meeting my friends in person , also because I had just started to go out in the evening with friends and that felt good.

Michela has been reading a lot and kept good care of her pet.

Michela has been reading a lot and keeping good care of her pet.

Being at home doesn’t bother me too much. The relationship with my parents hasn’t changed much, we live in the same house but we don’t see each other often, each of us has his own space in the house and we only get together to eat. At least once a week, I go out for a walk with my grandmother’s dog, so I’m not completely segregated like other people.

Michela sent us some snaps of her daily life in quarantine.

Michela sent us some snaps of her daily life in quarantine.

Michela sent us some snaps of her daily life in quarantine.

The daily routine hasn’t changed drastically, the main difference is when I play sport: I used to train in the evening for about two hours with my rugby team, now I do it in the morning for one hour at most, doing some exercises suggested by our coach.

School homework is the same as before, and the whole morning is occupied by video lessons. But I finally found some time for myself, for example to make a jewellery box to tidy up all my earrings and necklaces that were previously cluttered in a box.

I am more concerned about the climate crisis because the coronavirus is something to which we will eventually find a solution, even though it will take a long time . Climate breakdown, on the other hand, is a seemingly invisible enemy that we can’t stop, because it’s not as obvious as the coronavirus, because it doesn’t bring “imminent” deaths, but a slow death of the whole planet. It seems that the world is not focused in finding a real solution for that.

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CBSE Digital Education

Essay on Lockdown in English for Students and Children

Essay on Lockdown

This long essay on lockdown in English is suitable for students of classes 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, 11, 12, and also for competitive exam aspirants. All important information related to how to write an amazing essay about Lockdown.

  • 1.1 Definition
  • 1.2 Introduction
  • 1.3 Online Education During Lockdown
  • 1.4 Advantages of Lockdown
  • 1.5 Disadvantage of Lockdown
  • 1.6 Lockdown 2021
  • 1.7 Conclusion

Long Essay on Lockdown in English 800 Words

Lockdown essay in English – Lockdown is a term that exploded collectively around the world in the year 2020. With the widespread attack of an invisible virus, known as the Novel Coronavirus , the entire world was devastated by the Pandemic of this virus. It occurs during a wide variety of emergencies and it disrupts normal life.

Many words became popular after the arrival of Coronavirus, the term “lockdown” being one of them. A lockdown is a period of time when people have to stay home and are only allowed to travel in an emergency. During this period everything is closed except for some essential services like hospitals, grocery stores, medical stores, etc.

Introduction

Coronavirus has been considered the most contagious virus ever in the history of mankind. Its effects have become catastrophic within a short time. To prevent the spread of this Coronavirus in the country, our government has taken some drastic steps.

One of the most important measures implemented is a lockdown, where all businesses have been closed, all people have been confined to their homes and almost all professional, personal, and economic activities have come to a standstill.

The lockdown was announced and enforced on the 25 th of March, 2020. It has been extended, in phases, to continue till mid-June. The government has issued advisories to all citizens to practice social distancing and stay at home. The purpose of the lockdown is to prevent community transmission of this deadly virus so that the chain of transmission can be broken.

Each and every person faced many difficulties during this period but for the daily wagers, it was much more difficult. Work from home, online education , and online business were some of the options during this period, and the Indian government also helped the people a lot.

Online Education During Lockdown

For the first time, schools in India have moved to online classes. It is a struggle for the teacher as well as the students. School students, children, and their parents felt the impact to close schools and educational institutions.

The lockdown situation prompted people to learn and use digital technology and as a result, increased digital literacy.

The teaching material is easily shared among the students and the doubt questions are solved on Telegram, WhatsApp, E-mail, and various social media. Students need to learn digital skills for their own sake and improve the quality of education as well as changes in syllabus, textbooks, teacher training, and examination systems, but at the very least, the quality of online education must also improve needed.

Advantages of Lockdown

Due to the lockdown, on the one hand, while people have been forced to remain imprisoned in the house, on the other hand, many big benefits are also being seen. Some important benefits of essay on lockdown:-

  • The rapidly spreading Coronavirus has been controlled by applying Lockdown.
  • Due to the lockdown, the movement of vehicles has been reduced very much, factories have been closed, and the air of the cities has started to clear due to the rein in such activities.
  • The impact of the lockdown is also being seen on global warming. In early April, scientists showed a hole of 1,000,000 square kilometers in the ozone layer above the North Pole. According to NASA, it has started filling these holes now.
  • Earth’s vibration has been reduced by 30 to 50 percent due to less traffic, machines, and noise pollution.
  • Due to Coronavirus, there has been a change in the cleanliness habits of the people. People are being more vigilant. Due to the lockdown, more time is also available for cleaning the house.
  • People are learning to live with limited resources and insist on being self-sufficient (or Aatmnirbhar ) in the future so that they can produce themselves.
  • During this lockdown period, we have got a lot of time for self-development and self-awareness.
  • Most people in Lockdown are cooking at home and eating the same. Health will also be good due to good food.

Disadvantage of Lockdown

Some important disadvantages of the essay on Lockdown:-

  • Many migrant laborers got trapped in different cities and they could not return to their homes due to which they had to face many difficulties.
  • Many industries like agriculture, education, and entertainment are suffering. It has negatively impacted the world economy.
  • Unemployment has increased rapidly due to the lockdown. Because of this many people have lost their jobs.
  • All schools and colleges were closed due to the lockdown, due to which the students were not able to study well.

Lockdown 2021

The lockdown was imposed due to Coronavirus in March 2020 last year. The same situation is being seen again. Again in April 2021, Coronavirus is spreading rapidly due to which lockdown is being imposed in all the states one by one.

In view of this spreading Coronavirus, the CBSE board canceled the class 10 examination and postponed the class 12 examination.

Lockdown is something that affects people from all backgrounds and especially the daily wagers. Some of the main problems during a lockdown are employment, poverty, and starvation.

Overall, we should keep in mind that lockdowns are only imposed for our welfare, so it is always our duty to follow the rules of lockdown.

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Short Essay

Life During Lockdown Essay for Students – 100, 500, 1000+ Words, & 10 Lines

Life During Lockdown Essay for Students: Explore the challenges, experiences, and lessons learned during the pandemic with “Life During Lockdown Essay for Students.” Understand the impact on education, mental health, and daily life, as students navigate through this unprecedented period.

Reflect on resilience, adaptability, and the importance of community support. Discover insights into remote learning, coping mechanisms, and maintaining social connections in the face of isolation. This Life During Lockdown Essay for Students delves into the unique aspects of students’ lives during lockdown, offering a comprehensive perspective on this transformative period.

Life During Lockdown Essay for Students in 100 Words

Table of Contents

Life During Lockdown Essay in English for Students in 10 Lines

Explore the transformative journey of students during lockdown in “Life During Lockdown Essay for Students.” This Life During Lockdown Essay for Students encapsulates the challenges, adaptations, and resilience displayed by students, providing a comprehensive Life During Lockdown Essay for Students in view of their unique experiences in just 10 lines.

  • Shift to Online Learning: With schools and colleges closed, education shifted to virtual platforms like Zoom and Google Meet.
  • Work from Home: Many adults adapted to remote work setups, blurring the lines between personal and professional spaces.
  • Increased Family Time: Lockdowns brought families together, fostering stronger bonds and shared activities.
  • Rediscovery of Hobbies: People explored new hobbies or revisited old ones, finding solace in activities like painting, reading, or gardening.
  • Digital Fatigue: Excessive screen time for work, classes, and socializing led to digital fatigue and burnout.
  • Heightened Awareness of Health: The pandemic underscored the importance of physical and mental health, leading to increased focus on well-being.
  • Challenges of Isolation: Social distancing measures caused feelings of isolation, emphasizing the need for human connection.
  • Economic Uncertainty: Many faced financial challenges due to job losses or economic downturns during the pandemic.
  • Reflection and Self-Discovery: The quieter pace of life allowed individuals to reflect on their goals and priorities, prompting self-discovery.
  • Community Support: Acts of kindness and community support became prominent, with neighbors helping each other during challenging times.

Also See – Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Essay – 100, 500, 1000 Words & 10 Lines

Life During Lockdown Essay for Students in 100 Words

Amidst the lockdown, students experienced a unique blend of challenges and opportunities. From adapting to virtual learning to discovering new hobbies, this Life During Lockdown Essay for Students delves into the multifaceted aspects of their lives during this unprecedented time.

The life of students during the lockdown was a paradigm shift, transforming traditional classrooms into virtual spaces. Adjusting to online learning, students navigated a digital landscape for education and social interaction. The challenges were met with innovation, as virtual classrooms became the new norm. Beyond academics, the lockdown encouraged self-reflection and personal growth.

Students adapted, honing their resilience and creativity. Despite the uncertainties, the experience unveiled new opportunities for learning, collaboration, and adapting to the evolving educational landscape. The lockdown period will be remembered as a time of transformation, where students not only faced challenges but also discovered their capacity to overcome and thrive in an ever-changing world.

Life During Lockdown in English Essay for Students in 500 Words

This Life During Lockdown Essay for Students explores the transformative journey of students during the lockdown, covering aspects such as online education, mental health, and personal growth. Life During Lockdown Essay for Students delves into the challenges faced and the resilience displayed, offering a comprehensive perspective on the student experience during this extraordinary period.

Life During Lockdown: Navigating Challenges and Discovering Resilience

The onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic triggered an unprecedented disruption to normal life, profoundly impacting students and their educational journeys. As classrooms shifted to virtual spaces, students faced a myriad of challenges, yet amidst the chaos emerged stories of resilience and personal growth.

The abrupt transition to online education was a significant hurdle for many students. Technological limitations, internet connectivity issues, and adapting to new learning platforms became recurrent obstacles. However, amidst these challenges, students displayed commendable adaptability. They quickly learned to navigate virtual tools, collaborate effectively in a digital environment, and manage their time efficiently.

The toll on mental health was palpable. Isolation, uncertainty about the future, and the pressure to adapt to new educational norms contributed to heightened stress levels among students. Yet, this period of upheaval also revealed the strength of the human spirit. Many students sought mental health support, and communities rallied together to foster emotional well-being.

The lockdown also provided a unique opportunity for personal reflection and growth. With the constraints of daily routines lifted, students delved into hobbies and passions, rediscovering interests that had been neglected in the hustle of pre-pandemic life. This newfound free time became a catalyst for personal development beyond academic pursuits.

Family dynamics underwent a significant transformation. With extended periods spent at home, students found themselves in the midst of increased family bonding. Shared experiences, conversations, and collaborative activities became integral to this period, fostering stronger familial ties and creating enduring memories.

As students navigated these challenges, they reflected on their priorities. The lockdown became a time of introspection, prompting individuals to reconsider their career goals, academic pursuits, and personal aspirations. Many emerged from this period with a more intentional approach to life, understanding the importance of balance and well-being.

The lessons learned during this period are invaluable, shaping not only the trajectory of education but also the personal development and priorities of students around the globe. As the world moves beyond the pandemic, these experiences will continue to influence how students approach education and life’s challenges in the future.

Life During Lockdown Essay for Students in 1000+ Words

This comprehensive Life During Lockdown Essay for Students delves into the multifaceted experiences of students during the global lockdown, exploring the challenges faced, the lessons learned, and the transformative journey towards personal and academic growth.

Introduction

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 led to unprecedented global challenges, prompting governments worldwide to implement lockdowns to curb the spread of the virus.

This essay delves into the multifaceted aspects of life during lockdown, exploring the challenges faced by individuals and communities, the shift to remote work and online education, the impact on mental health, and the resilience demonstrated in adapting to the “new normal.”

Challenges Faced During Lockdown

Social Isolation

One of the immediate and palpable challenges of lockdown was social isolation. The restrictions on movement and gatherings meant that people were cut off from their social circles, friends, and extended families. The absence of face-to-face interactions led to feelings of loneliness and a longing for human connection.

Economic Uncertainty

Lockdowns had a severe impact on the global economy, leading to job losses, furloughs, and economic uncertainty for millions. Small businesses faced closures, and various industries experienced significant setbacks. The sudden economic downturn left individuals and families grappling with financial stress and uncertainty about the future.

Education Disruption

Schools and universities worldwide had to adapt swiftly to the new reality of remote learning. The sudden shift to online education posed challenges for both students and educators. Limited access to resources, varying levels of technological proficiency, and the absence of the traditional classroom environment made the learning experience challenging for many.

Work-from-Home Challenges

Remote work became the norm for many professionals, introducing a new set of challenges. Balancing work responsibilities with household chores, the lack of a clear boundary between work and personal life, and the technological adjustments required for effective collaboration presented hurdles for individuals navigating this new work paradigm.

Adapting to Remote Work and Online Education

Remote Work Dynamics

While the sudden transition to remote work posed initial challenges, it also highlighted the adaptability and resilience of individuals and organizations. Video conferencing tools, collaborative platforms, and flexible work hours became integral to maintaining productivity and communication.

Online Education Innovations

Educational institutions embraced technology to ensure continuity in learning. Virtual classrooms, online assessments, and interactive learning platforms became essential components of the educational landscape. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital tools in education, prompting innovation in pedagogical approaches.

Digital Connectivity

The importance of digital connectivity became more apparent than ever. High-speed internet, online communication tools, and digital platforms became lifelines for individuals working and studying remotely. The digital divide, however, underscored the need for equitable access to technology.

Impact on Mental Health

Isolation and Anxiety

The isolation imposed by lockdowns took a toll on mental health. Anxiety, depression, and feelings of helplessness became prevalent as individuals grappled with uncertainties about the future, health concerns, and the disruption of routine.

Work-Life Balance Challenges

Remote work, while offering flexibility, also blurred the boundaries between professional and personal life. Many individuals found it challenging to establish a work-life balance, leading to burnout and increased stress levels.

Educational Stress

Students faced unique challenges, including the pressure of adapting to online learning, concerns about academic performance, and the absence of the social support traditionally provided by the school environment.

Resilience and Adaptability

Community Support

Communities around the world demonstrated resilience by coming together to support one another. Mutual aid groups, online forums, and community initiatives emerged to provide assistance, share resources, and foster a sense of solidarity.

Innovation and Creativity

The pandemic spurred innovation in various fields. From virtual events and conferences to innovative approaches in education, individuals and organizations showcased creativity in adapting to the constraints imposed by lockdown.

Digital Transformation Acceleration

Businesses and institutions accelerated their digital transformation efforts. E-commerce, telehealth, and virtual services saw increased adoption, reflecting the adaptability of industries in responding to the challenges posed by the pandemic.

Life during lockdown presented a myriad of challenges, from social isolation to economic uncertainties and disruptions in education and work. However, amidst these challenges, individuals and communities showcased remarkable resilience and adaptability. The embrace of remote work and online education, coupled with the acceleration of digital transformation, highlighted the capacity for innovation and creativity in the face of adversity.

As societies gradually emerge from the throes of the pandemic, the lessons learned during lockdown underscore the importance of building resilient systems, prioritizing mental health, and fostering a sense of community. The shared experience of navigating life during lockdown serves as a testament to the collective strength of humanity and the potential for positive transformation in the face of global challenges.

the Life During Lockdown Essay for Students serves as a poignant testament to the resilience and adaptability that define the human spirit. As students navigated the uncharted waters of remote learning, disrupted routines, and the emotional toll of isolation, they discovered hidden strengths within themselves. The challenges posed by the pandemic became catalysts for growth, fostering adaptability and fortitude.

The diverse narratives shared by students underscore the universality of the human experience during these trying times. From moments of frustration to unexpected joys and self-realization, the Life During Lockdown Essay for Students encapsulates the spectrum of emotions and lessons learned.

As the world gradually emerges from the shadows of the pandemic, these insights into life during lockdown become invaluable markers of endurance and perseverance.

This Life During Lockdown Essay for Students not only chronicles the challenges faced by students but also emphasizes the profound lessons embedded in adversity. Life During Lockdown Essay for Students stands as a testament to the resilience cultivated amid uncertainty, providing a hopeful outlook for the future.

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Essay on Lockdown

Students are often asked to write an essay on Lockdown in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Lockdown

What is a lockdown.

A lockdown is when people must stay where they are, usually due to an emergency. This can happen for different reasons, like a dangerous person in the area or a disease outbreak. During a lockdown, you can’t go to places like school or the park. It’s a rule to keep everyone safe.

Lockdown and Staying Home

In a lockdown, you stay home to avoid getting sick or spreading germs. Schools and shops may close, and you might not see your friends for a while. It’s important to listen to adults and stay inside.

Learning in Lockdown

Even in a lockdown, you can keep learning. Schools might do classes online, so you can study from home. You’ll use a computer or tablet to see your teacher and classmates. It’s different but still a way to learn.

Fun at Home

Lockdown doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. You can play games, read, or do crafts. It’s a chance to spend time with family and try new hobbies. Remember, it’s not forever, just for now.

250 Words Essay on Lockdown

A lockdown is when people must stay where they are, usually in their homes, to stay safe. This can happen when there is a big problem, like a dangerous virus spreading. During a lockdown, schools, offices, and shops can close, and people must work, study, and shop from home if they can.

Why Lockdowns Happen

Lockdowns are used to stop people from getting sick or hurt. When too many people get sick at once, hospitals can get too busy. By staying home, fewer people get sick at the same time, and hospitals can help everyone who needs it.

Life During Lockdown

Life changes a lot in a lockdown. You can’t visit friends or go to the park like before. Many turn to books, games, and the internet to learn and have fun. Families spend more time together, and people find new ways to connect, like video calls.

Challenges of Lockdown

Lockdowns can be hard. People might miss their friends or feel sad and worried. It’s not easy to stay inside for a long time. Some people also worry about their jobs and money if they can’t go to work.

After a Lockdown

When a lockdown ends, things slowly start to open again, like schools and stores. It’s important to be careful and listen to rules to keep everyone safe. Lockdown teaches us to be strong, care for each other, and that by working together, we can handle big challenges.

500 Words Essay on Lockdown

A lockdown is when people are told to stay where they are, usually in their homes, because of an emergency. This could be because of a health crisis, like a big outbreak of sickness, or for safety reasons, like when there’s a danger in the community. During a lockdown, schools, offices, and shops may close, and people have to follow special rules.

Reasons for a Lockdown

Lockdowns are used to keep people safe. For example, if a new sickness is spreading very quickly and making lots of people ill, a lockdown can help stop it from reaching more people. It’s like hitting the pause button on normal life so that the problem doesn’t get bigger.

Life During a Lockdown

When there’s a lockdown, daily life changes a lot. People can’t go to school or work like they usually do. Instead, they might have classes or meetings online. Being at home all the time can be hard. Families have to find new ways to stay busy and happy without leaving their houses. This can mean playing games, reading, or learning new hobbies.

The Good and the Bad

Lockdowns can be helpful because they keep people safe from danger. With fewer people moving around, it’s easier for doctors and nurses to take care of those who are sick. But lockdowns can also be tough. People might miss their friends or family members who don’t live with them. Some people might even feel sad or worried because of all the changes.

Following Rules

During a lockdown, it’s important to follow the rules set by leaders. This usually means staying home unless you need to get something important like food or medicine. Washing hands and keeping clean is also very important to stay healthy. People who work in hospitals or stores might still go to work to help others.

Learning from Lockdown

A lockdown can teach us many things. We learn to be patient and to take care of each other. We also learn how to solve problems in new ways, like studying from home or talking to friends and family online. It shows us that by working together and helping each other, we can get through tough times.

After the Lockdown

When a lockdown ends, things slowly start to go back to normal. Schools and shops open again, and people can go outside more. But it’s important to remember what was learned during the lockdown. We should keep washing our hands well and stay home if we feel sick, so we can keep ourselves and others safe.

Lockdowns are not easy, but they are sometimes necessary to protect everyone’s health and safety. By understanding what a lockdown is, why it happens, and how to deal with it, we can all do our part to help during these times. And when it’s over, we can appreciate being able to go out and see our friends and family even more.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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Stanford TBR: Re-examining 2020 in Zadie Smith’s ‘Intimations’

Drawing of colorful books on a shelf with their sleeve towards the audience, the sleeves have "TBR" written on them and the writing on the background reads "Stanford To Be Read"

In her column “Stanford TBR” (to be read), Cate Burtner recommends books that would resonate with the Stanford community —   a reading list compiled for outside the classroom .

While I love contemporary author Zadie Smith’s novels, it is her essays where she shines the most. The writing of Smith’s brilliant essay collection “Intimations” was bookended by two tragedies: the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the murder of George Floyd. The book was certainly timely in July 2020, but I’d argue it is just as relevant today. “Intimations” is a thought-provoking collection of meditations on life in the 21st century, and conveys its ideas efficiently in a mere 97 pages. I truly believe this book should be all the rage among busy and politically-active college students, as most of us at Stanford are.

The collection as a whole is philosophical, literary and political. In “Something To Do,” Smith muses about the act of writing, representing the art form as childlike while also having “potential political efficacy.” I found this essay thought-provoking in the most literal sense: Smith writes and posits in a way that spurs the imagination and causes the reader to make allusions in their head to other texts and philosophies. When she writes that “art takes time and divides it up as art sees fit,” I was reminded of Stephen King’s memoir in which he discusses art as a support system for life. This essay might have prompted readers to also think about how the art we create can take on a life of its own, à la Frankenstein’s monster. With the rise of contemporary AI as a tool for creation, readers may think of Smith’s essay as raising the question of whether we are responsible for the actions of our creations.

Essays throughout “Intimations” lend themselves greatly to intertextuality, both between essays in the collection and outside of it. Even among her complex political commentary, it’s clear that Smith has an ease with language that can only belong to a fiction writer. The essays were poetic in their brevity and economical in their efficiency. 

The essay “Screengrabs” piqued my interest because it poignantly zooms in on everyday people during a time of intense isolation, highlighting many of the issues that permeated life in the year 2020. This is evident even just through the essays’ sub-section titles. For instance, “A Character in a Wheelchair in the Vestibule” brings to the forefront different perspectives on the pandemic and how the lockdown pushed different people to the brink of survival in differing ways.

Other essays focus on our connections with people, calling attention to just how lonely and isolating 2020 was. In “A Woman with a Little Dog,” Smith touches on the idea that people are full of surprises, and that getting to know someone interesting is like opening an endless gift. These essays in particular made me feel all of the feelings: I was commiserating and feeling grateful, drawing conclusions about my own experience during the COVID-19 pandemic and contemplating imagination itself. Smith’s writing manages to feel political and sweeping, as well as immensely personal to her and, in the process, to the reader.

Reading a work from the midst of lockdown led me to question what I would have written during that time; certainly nothing so profoundly connected to the human condition. My admiration for Smith’s work only grew upon seeing her ability to show beauty and make interesting points, particularly about people, during such (and say it with me) an “unprecedented time.”

One might not expect a book of essays to make use of formal literary features, but “Intimations” certainly delivers as a work of literature in addition to being a work of nonfiction. In “The American Exception,” Smith describes an unnamed president using metaphors of war and strategically including the word “bottom line,” to comment on the specific political and capitalistic state of 2020 America. 

In “Suffering Like Mel Gibson,” art and time are discussed in a way that is laced with empathy. The essay has been stuck in my head since reading it because of its perspective on children and their use of new technology — a topic on which people like to opine. The essay manages to distinguish between melancholy and suffering in this broader meditation on privilege and positionality. Whether or not readers fully agree with her points, one gains new perspectives from Smith’s writing that allows mind-expanding room for contemplation.

With the official end of the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2023, the evolving Black Lives Matter movement and the fact that it is Black History Month, “Intimations” holds just as much relevance today as it did when it came out in July 2020. A retrospective look back from current readers on the year of 2020 will provide an interesting lens for appreciating these essays. From readers of 2024 to those of the distant future, “Intimations” will provoke thoughtful conversations about that historic moment.

Dear Stanford, I know it’s a busy time in the quarter — but as socially-conscious young people, I strongly recommend you keep “Intimations” by Zadie Smith in your back pocket. It’s short, it’s dense with thought-provoking content, it’s sharp and ultimately just real . Go find yourself a copy — I’m waiting!

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Essay on What I Learned During Lockdown

What I Learnt During Lockdown

The term lockdown was new to me as I heard this term the first time after the world was suffering from the global pandemic. Everything happened suddenly and nothing like this has been experienced before. It is said that after every 100 years a pandemic arrives. The same happened and the world was hit by Covid-19 in 2019. The Covid-19 is a contagious disease and therefore lockdown was imposed by many nations of the world to stop the virus from spreading. Many of us say that lockdown was beneficial and many say it was wasted.

Short and Long Essay on What I Learned During Lockdown in English

We will be discussing different things that we have learned during the lockdown in form of short and long essay. It might give an idea to students about the topic and method of writing too.

What I Learned During Lockdown Essay 10 Lines (100 – 150 Words)

1) Lockdown was a new experience that I faced during the Corona pandemic.

2) Initially it was terrifying but later I utilized it well.

3) During lockdown I learned cooking from my mother.

4) I love reading novels so I finished many of them during the lockdown.

5) I also learned how to study online by attending my online classes.

6) During this period I also learned gardening from my father.

7) I utilized lockdown by improving my existing skills.

8) I also learned Kathak online during this time.

9) Lockdown taught me time management and its proper utilization.

10) During lockdown I learned many life lessons and the importance of family.

What I learned During Lockdown – Essay 1 (250 words)

Lockdown is the emergency protocol in which the movement of people gets prohibited. The Lockdown of 3 months last year was the time that totally changed the way of our living. The movement was restricted and therefore we had to remain indoors. The news of the spreading of the Covid-19 infection was really dreadful. This inculcated fear and depression in many people.

Lockdown was very boring for me initially but slowly I started enjoying it. It is because I started doing those things that I desired to do in my spare time. Lockdown to me was like an opportunity to learn different things, that are:

  • Online Classes – Earlier we never knew about online classes but during the lockdown, I learned the way of attending the online classes.
  • Learned to Play Guitar – Singing songs is my passion and for a long time wanted to learn to play a musical instrument. It was the best time I had got to learn to play the guitar.
  • Developed a Small Garden – I love gardening and therefore I had planted few trees in the backyard of my house. This has now turned into a small garden.
  • Importance of Family – I was very happy that I had got a lot of time to spend with my family.
  • Learned Cooking – I learned to cook several recipes from my mother during my spare time in the lockdown.
  • Reading Novels – It was the best time I had got to read my favourite novels. Reading provides me great pleasure and satisfaction.
  • Importance of Regular Exercise – I started doing exercise daily during the lockdown. This helped me in reducing my weight as well as keeping me healthy and fit.
  • Managing in fewer Resources Availability – During the lockdown, there was a financial crisis and everything was not available easily. It taught me to manage our living during difficult situations.

Lockdown was a boon in my life. It made me realize that we have several capabilities in us but we need to recognize the same. Lockdown holidays provided me the chance to learn several new things. These activities made my lockdown to be an interesting phase of my life.

Life Lessons during Lockdown – Essay 2 (1000 Words)

Introduction

The lockdown for different periods of time was imposed by many nations to curb the spread of Covid-19. India was under a strict Lockdown for a period of 70 days and that is more than 2 months and it was followed by Unlock in a phased manner. The period of lockdown had passed for everyone with some bitter and sweet experiences.

What is Lockdown?

Lockdown is the Protocol imposed by the government in the nation. It states that a person will have to stay where he/she is at the time of lockdown. It is advised to stay indoors safely. It prohibits the person to leave that area and move somewhere else. During the pandemic, restrictions were imposed by the government on different services as well as the movement of people. The people were allowed only for the essential services and all other non-essential services were closed for the period of lockdown in the nation.

Life Lessons during Lockdown

During the lockdown, everything changed in moments. We had to pass from situations that never happened before. Initially, everything was upsetting i.e. no outing only indoors. Moreover, the news of the virus spreading to a greater extent left us with total depression. Slowly and gradually everything started appearing good and enjoying. Some of the important lessons we got from the entire lockdown are expressed below.

  • Importance of Time – After the lockdown was over and things started changing to normal I realized that much time has passed out. Many of us have planned for many new things but due to this situation, they could not complete the same and have been delayed. The people suffering from different critical diseases could not get proper cure and treatment during that period and have died. It simply shows that time was important but everything was disturbed. They could have been saved if they were provided with proper treatment at that time. Secondly for the Covid Patients too time was an important issue. Many of us have not reported the symptoms on time and that made the infection become more severe.
  • Courage – The news channels were continuously telecasting the updated news of the Covid cases reported daily. Every day the death or Covid positive news of the friends, neighbors, or known people shook us from inside. The days were passing somehow with fear and depression of the future. We have developed courage and followed preventive measures and therefore are courageously fighting against the dreadful virus. The adverse situation gives us the courage to fight and win.
  • Healthy Living – I started utilizing my one hour of morning and evening in doing exercise. In this way, I made my body fit and also understood the importance of exercise and fitness. During the pandemic, we were advised to take an immunity-rich diet and supplements. This improved our immune system. Moreover, the market food at that time was not available therefore we ate healthy homemade food.
  • Financial Management – The lockdown was the immediate decision of the government. We were left with limited financial amounts. Many of us have not received salaries during this period and many became jobless. We have learned to manage our expenditure and learned wise usage of money in critical situations.
  • Protect our Nature – During the lockdown the activity of people had reduced to a larger extent. The number of vehicles on roads reduced to 25%. Thus the emissions also reduced which was very helpful in reducing the air pollution level. Nature healed itself during that time as the activities of human beings were suppressed. It gives us a lesson that we should not exploit natural resources and understand our nature for granted. It is the habitat of the other living organisms. If the same has been done before then the situation would not become like this.
  • Understanding the Importance of Family – Most of us have spent the duration of the lockdown in our houses with our family. We got enough quality time to spend with our family members. I could the hard work is done by my mother the whole day. The time made us understand that family comes first than other things in life.
  • The New Way of Learning and Education – The schools, colleges, and all the educational institutions were shut down in India after the lockdown was imposed. It was very difficult to open schools and continue the normal routine studies. Therefore the online teaching and learning program evolved and was much beneficial than sitting idle and waiting for the reopening of classes. This never happened before at this level but due to the pandemic crisis, a new method of education has started. It shows that if one door is closed several other doors are open and we should never give up.
  • Better Planning and Management – The lockdown taught us to plan and manage our things during that time. We were not having the availability of all the things during lockdown but have learned to manage our resources in such a way that they last longer.
  • Best Utilization of Time – Never before the Lockdown, we have been granted spare time for about 2 months. I love gardening and therefore in taking good care of my garden planed few new plants. I also read some novels as reading helps me in improving my vocabulary. I helped my mother with her household works and that gave her a bit of relaxation.

Was the Lockdown Period Useful?

The initial days of the lockdown appeared as worst and boring. After a few days, I started waking up early in the morning and exercising. Every day I tried out some new things to do. Slowly I was in love with the lockdown holidays. I could do more works and help my parents too. Secondly, this time taught us to live in adversities. The condition was very pathetic during that time and it was felt that it is very difficult to survive in such a situation. Hope, courage, and willpower made us conquer the situation. It gave us the lesson that every time cannot be the same and therefore we should always be ready for any uncertainty.

The pandemic crisis due to Covid-19 has changed the whole world. The lockdown period has given us many important lessons in life. Darwin’s theory states- “Survival of Fittest”. We must learn to cope up with different situations in our life and then only survival is possible. The pandemic and lockdown helped us to develop our capability to learn from adversities.

Essay on What I Learnt During Lockdown

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Ans . The lockdown has made people in offices and students work from home in online mode.

Ans . There are many online courses that require no physical classes and can be completed via online mode.

Ans . It was a mixture of good and bad experiences and helped us to enhance our capabilities.

Ans . Rajasthan was the first state in India to impose lockdown due to Covid-19.

Ans . It was initiated by National Book Trust and it gave the facility of free downloading of books.

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School Lockdown Drills Help Students Feel Safer: Study

By Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter

essay in lockdown

FRIDAY, Feb. 23, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Lockdown drills have become a shudder-inducing part of American life, preparing kids to lie low and keep quiet if a gunman chooses to roam their school.

But a new study finds these drills help children who’ve been exposed to violence, helping them feel safer at school.

The findings contradict claims that drills traumatize children rather than making them feel secure, researchers said.

“Participating in drills may be a way to help students who have been exposed to violence feel safer in schools,” said researcher Jaclyn Schildkraut , executive director of the Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium at the Rockefeller Institute of Government in the U.S.

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essay in lockdown

Lockdown drills, now carried out at almost all public schools, involve locking classroom doors, turning off the lights, staying out of sight and remaining quiet.

The drills were introduced following the Columbine High School massacre in 1999, in which two teens shot dead 12 classmates and a teacher and wounded 24 others.

For this study, students in fifth grade and above at a large urban school district in New York State responded to a survey about how safe they felt at school and how prepared they were for lockdowns and other emergencies.

The students were also asked about their exposure to violence, such as seeing or hearing that someone brought a gun or knife to school or being involved in or observing physical fights or bullying.

The students participated in a lockdown drill, then filled out the survey again. Several months later, they were given training on how to respond to emergencies, then had another lockdown drill and another round of surveys.

More than 8,600 surveys were completed by students with an average age of 14. On average, the students been exposed to about two types of violence, most commonly witnessing fights or bullying.

Those exposed to violence felt less safe at school, and the more types of violence they’d seen, the less safe they felt.

But taking part in the drills and training appeared to mitigate at least some of the harmful effects from their exposure to violence.

“This finding provides policymakers with direct empirical evidence against calls for lockdown and other safety drills to be abandoned on the basis that they traumatize children without making them feel safer,” Shildkraut said.

A sense of safety is essential for a student to do well in school, Shildkraut said.

“It is important for students to perceive their schools to be safe because it can impact how they function as students generally,” Shildkraut said. “For instance, not feeling safe at school can lead to anxiety, depression, lowered academic performance and missing school.”

The students as a whole felt more prepared for emergencies after taking part in the second lockdown drill, compared to the start of the study.

The findings were published Feb. 23 in the Journal of School Violence .

“The main purpose of emergency preparedness drills, including lockdowns, is for individuals to build muscle memory, which enables them to respond correctly in stressful situations without conscious effort,” Shildkraut said. “And so, it is possible that the confidence gained from taking part in lockdown drills may help to offset the negative effects of exposure to violence over time.”

Shildkraut said more research is needed to determine if these findings apply to children in more rural areas, and whether the results apply to other types of lockdown drills.

“When lockdown drills are conducted correctly they can offer unintended benefits, such as offsetting harmful effects of exposure to violence, in addition to helping to prepare students for emergencies,” Shildkraut said in a journal news release.

More information

MIT has more about lockdown drills .

SOURCE: Taylor & Francis Group, news release, Feb. 23, 2024

Copyright © 2024 HealthDay . All rights reserved.

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Essay on Impact of lockdown on Students and People

Nobody ever imagined that life could turn like this. Despite being most countries democratic, people are forced to live inside their homes. The basic freedom given to us by our constitutions is taken back from us. Nobody is free to move. If anyone is found breathing in the open air he is beaten by the police and imposed with heavy penalties. What has forced all the governments to take this dictator style decision? Why are people all over the world simultaneously forced to live a completely altered life during lockdown 2020? This Essay on the Impact of lockdown on Students and People will answer all the above questions.

Essay on Impact of lockdown | Coronavirus Impact on Students and other people

With the outbreak of covid 19, the world was locked down. The fast-paced life came to a standstill. Covid 19, a disease caused by Corona Virus, started in China initially and spread all over the globe. All were helpless because the medical fraternity could not invent its antidote. So, the safest and the only option seemed was world lockdown. All the national and international borders were sealed. Some countries announced a 3-6 months stay at home order while others declared complete lockdown in phases.

People, businesses, and governments around the world have changed the way they spend, move, communicate and travel because of COVID-19. Let’s see how life has changed during the lockdown period. Did it alter our life for the better?

Lockdown 2020 in India

Indian Prime Minister Mr Modi announced a country lockdown on 21st march 2020 for 21 days. Later it got extended for more and more days. As Indians are notorious for not following the rules, everyone expected it to last for 3-4 days. But the story was different this time. Police drove away from the people who ventured on roads by giving physical punishments and charging fines. Covid 19 triggered lockdown brought a significant change in the life of all.

Impact of Lockdown on Students in India

This disease has affected all segments of the population. And students are no exception. In India, a lockdown was announced just at the time when CBSE exams were going on. Students of the 10th and 12th classes got stuck in the middle. National level entrance exams had to be postponed. Generally, the months of March and April are very crucial for students preparing for these papers. The pandemic diverted students’ focus from their studies. It has created an atmosphere of anxiety and depression among some students and parents.

Seeing from another angle, Children were the happiest creature in the world after the announcement of lockdown. But due to the setting up of virtual classrooms, their happiness did not last long. Now regular classes were going on with no escape from home assignments. However, they learned a new way of education.

Although, schools and coaching institutes have started online classes. The devices required for attending virtual classrooms are not accessible to all in India. It might create a burden on students’ psychology.

Effect of Lockdown on Senior citizens

The government officials appealed that the elderly people stay inside the home during the period of lockdown. According to doctors adults were more vulnerable to coronavirus. Morning walks and evening strolls were their only way to bring some movement in their stiff bodies. This curtailment left them immobile. But they got the company of all the family members who were otherwise too busy to talk to them. Board games and mythological serial telecasts on national television came to their rescue.

Impact of lockdown on Women

A lockdown increases the burden of household work for all families.  While all the domestic helpers were stranded at home, there was no one to share the increased household chores. In Indian families, nobody is empathetic towards the mental and physical health of women due to the increased workload.

Impact of lockdown on Men

Men are the most deeply affected victim of this pandemic. Most of the men leave their homes in the morning to complete the task of bread earning for the family. They spend their whole day outside the house. Lockdown has put them inside the four walls of the house which they are not accustomed to. The absence of professional life is making them sick. Some are lucky to do their work from home with the help of computers.

With the extensions in lockdown, they are adapting to enjoy this altered version of life. Playing online ludo and tambola is a common scene in every house. Some gentlemen are trying their hands on cooking to share a story on Instagram. Watching movies and web series, growing a beard is more a compulsion than a hobby. Sharing basic household work to cheer their better halves makes their bonding even stronger.

Conclusion: Impact of lockdown and coronavirus on people

Today, humans are in cages to save themselves from highly contagious disease covid 19. We were so blindfolded in the race of development that we neglected our spouse, our family, our culture, our environment. We were urgently in a need of some change. But nobody knew that the change would appear like this in the disguise of the Corona Virus.

This period of crisis and global volatility is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we should utilise it thoughtfully and productively.

Read More Essays Related to Coronavirus Impact of Covid-19 on Economy Essay Aatmnirbhar Bharat Abhiyan|Self Reliant India Essay in English Social Distancing to Fight Coronavirus How to Boost Immunity during Covid19 Crisis

How to Boost Immunity during Covid19 Crisis Plastic advantage, disadvantage and waste management Tell me about yourself Merits and Demerits of Online Exams Essay  Essay on E-Waste in Hindi Online Education versus Traditional Education My First Online Class Experience Essay

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Intellectual Gyani

10 Things I Learned During Lockdown Essay for Student

10 Things I Learned During Lockdown Essay for Student

posted on January 17, 2022

In This paper we’ll discuss, skills and hobbies I learned in lockdown as a student, though this list could easily be much longer, we’ve boiled it down to the list of best 10 things I learned during lockdown . hope it will help you to write best essay on Things I Learned During lockdown .

The 2020 lockdown took a big turn on us. And not just affect, lockdown changed many people views on so many things and I am one of them . I used to study and read in books that a pandemic is spread every 100 years and the world goes down to lockdown due to the epidemic, like when Bird Flu and Influenza spread in Spain. The same happens to our world in 2019, when COVID-19 finds its way to us.

The world shut down, shops, cinemas, educational institutes, gyms, restaurants, I mean, everything just locked down due to COVID. We got stuck at home and that’s when the COVID started taking a toll on me.

I was devastated as to why I can’t go out and hang out with my friend. Like Every other person I was asking the same question, “When will things go back to normal?” But one day, some facts stuck me in the face, “Why not trying something new?”, “I am free, let’s try reading that novel I never got the time to read”, “Let’s improve my English spoken Skills” and so much more.

And from there I took the road to self-improvement. As a college student, I was always busy with work and homework of college and didn’t have time for myself and extracurricular activities. But then the lockdown started helping me in discovering myself and my newfound hobbies. It helped me stay healthy both physically and mentally.

Lockdown was very boring to me at first but eventually, I took a liking to it. I started doing things that I always wanted to do but didn’t because of my tight schedule of college life . Like I took a liking to read books both fictional and non-fiction. This new hobby of mine helped me in so many ways as it helped me with my subjects of college, it also helped me improve my spoken English. Reading books taught me about so many world histories, religion, trust, and problems of real life.

things learned during lockdown

Page Contents

10 Things I learned During Lockdown

1. learned technology during lockdown.

Yes, it is right. The main thing I get used to and learned a lot was technology. Most of our classes were going online during COVID-19 Lockdown, it helped to learn new things about online classes platforms like Zoom , Google Meet , etc.

I learned how to use specific apps and it helped me a lot in my researching skills . The one thing I learned about some app or website, due to free time, I started spending my time searching for other things related to that app or website.

Also, I have become a pro in using Laptop and Computer because otherwise, I have nothing to do with it. I was English Major and never have anything to do with PCs.

| Read: about advantages and disadvantages of technology in education

2. I learned the Importance Of Family During Pandemic

I was very happy that I had got a lot of time to spend with my family. And this lockdown helped me in understanding the need as well as the importance of family . I learned how a family is so crucial part of our lives. I was watching blogs and interviews of those living alone and how they are getting anxious with time and sometimes panic too. Watching them I realized, how fulfilling my house is and how blessed I am to have a family .

3. Learned Managing and Organizing

The best thing I learned during lockdown is managing and organizing.

I used to be a messy person before lockdown. Like my things were always here and there scattered around the whole house. The COVID-19 lockdown gives me time to realize this mistake. I started organizing my things.

I allot each section of my cupboard for different things. I started taking care of my house and used to keep it all clean and prep.

I learn to manage in limited and fewer resources. As COVID-19 left many in financial instability, my family was also one of them. But we stick together and survives this bad time. I started changing my habits which were charging extra money to me and developed my interests in other things. Like instead of buying new novels or books to read, I started reading online and borrowed books from friends.

4. Cooking & Baking

I never got the time to cook before lockdown. But I always have an interest in baking. This lockdown helped me spend more time in Kitchen helping my mom . I learned baking and now I know how to make cookies, cakes, cupcakes, and other baking stuff.  I started taking interest in cooking and try making different types of dishes like Chinese, Italian, etc.

5 Participated in Online Classes effectively

Another thing that I have learned is how much the feeling of going to class in the real world compares to going to class in the online world is so different yet normal for me. For the first few days, it felt a bit weird during my second week during lockdown, I felt nerves coming into the idea of online learning . We all were fine with going into class in the real world, but the virtual world was a whole new experience for me because I am always the shy one . Thankfully I have managed to embrace the idea and managed to get on without any issues.

6. Improved English Speaking Skills During Lockdown

As an Asian native, my English-speaking skills were not that good. Like before lockdown, I could understand that what people are talking about, but I didn’t have enough confidence in me to speak in English too. During the Covid-19 lockdown, I highly worked on this habit. I started hearing podcasts and English shows as well as news.

I started speaking in English in online classes and even to my siblings. I worked hard in developing this skill. And now after lockdown, I am a pro in English speaking. I can fluently talk in English now and also, now I am also participating in English speeches and debates.

7. You can learn from anything or anyone

I had always hated the notion that only people with more experience or age are capable of teaching. Some of the most interesting things and skills that I have learned were from YouTube and people much younger than me, or people with little formal education. There are opportunities to learn from anyone , whether or not they have had a formal education.

8. I Learned Blogging 

This is the best thing I learned during the lockdown . I always have an interest in blog and article writing. But again, I was not free enough to give this full time. In a lockdown, I take free online courses and started blogging . And now I am also earning from this skill set.

|Read: about the Advantages and Disadvantages of Blogging for Students

9. Appreciate the people in your life

This goes without saying that the people in your life are not here forever . Whether by voluntary or involuntary action, everyone will leave. But we have to make the most of our time with the ones that we love the most .

Conclusion:

I am so happy that I didn’t waste my time lurking around the house and laying down on couches. I developed several skills set which, I know, will help me in my practical life now. COVID-19 brings disasters and bad times for all of us, I was also worried about the wellbeing of my family and studies. But at least, I didn’t lose my faith that a good time will come soon and started spending my time learning new things in that worst time.

And the best thing I learned during this lockdown was Blogging and English-Speaking skills . Because now, utilizing these skills, I am generating side money for myself. I will wrap up everything by saying that, in this lockdown, we got time for our loved ones, we got time to focus on ourselves, and, especially, we got time to develop into a better version of ourselves.

So above is the  top 10 things I learned in lockdown as student . I guess you’ve finished reading it.

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‘My Beloved Life’ Traces India’s History Through a Father’s Watchful Eye

Amitava Kumar’s novel links a professor who lived through a nation’s tribulations and his daughter, an Atlanta journalist, before and after the pandemic.

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MY BELOVED LIFE, by Amitava Kumar

Amitava Kumar’s new novel is titled “My Beloved Life,” but a more accurate (and clunkier) title might be “My Beloved Life and the Life of Every Other Character in the Book.” The novel has a “One Thousand and One Nights” feel as it yields tale after tale — the life stories of the main protagonists, a father-and-daughter duo, yes, but also that of random guests at a wedding, college friends, old crushes and well-known politicians.

Indeed, it is a deceptive book, one that belies its ambitions. It begins with the story of one Jadunath Kunwar, an ordinary man born to peasant parents in the Indian state of Bihar. But as Kumar walks us through Jadu’s life, from his student days at Patna College to his episodic political activism and career as a history professor, we begin to realize that the novelist has larger ambitions in mind — to tell the story of pre- and post-independence India through the eyes of one citizen, with Jadu as a kind of Zelig character, who crosses paths with those famous and anonymous.

Figures like Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa who climbed Mount Everest with Edmund Hillary, and J.P. Narayan, the Indian political activist, populate the novel. Mostly, though, Kumar tells Jadu’s story with a dispassionate stenographer’s air, a dutiful rendering of the minutiae of one man’s life.

For instance, Jadu’s affluent college friends call him Gandhiji for his ascetic lifestyle. But there is minimal exploration of how he feels about the teasing. “This bothered Jadu,” Kumar writes, and leaves it at that.

The book’s other major character is Jadu’s daughter, Jugnu, an Atlanta-based journalist for CNN. Here Kumar focuses mainly on the personal — Jugnu’s failed marriage and her subsequent relationship with Motley, a Black American, who she is uncertain will be accepted by her father.

The pandemic features prominently in Jugnu’s section, which is told in the first person and is a little more introspective. The novel points out the devastating impact that the lockdown-fueled separation has on father and daughter, each on a different continent. When important family events occur in India, she cannot attend, a fact that haunts her; it’s only to cover the second, devastating wave of Covid that she goes back the following year. A new character is introduced in the very last section; the pandemic also makes an appearance there.

Many of the political events described in the book — the mid-70s state of emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi; the demolition of the mosque at Ayodhya ; the rise of Narendra Modi — will be familiar to Indians of a certain age. Non-Indians may find this aspect, the sheer scale of name-dropping, a little overwhelming. “He spoke as if he were reading out a Wikipedia entry,” Jugnu says of her father at one point.

The novel moves at a breathless pace, as if Kumar wants to get it all in, with stories large and small, important and unimportant. Before we can get into the interior life of one character, he leapfrogs into the life of another. Even Jugnu’s narrative, which is less sweeping and more intimate, is often interrupted by the stories of the people she interviews in India.

Kumar, the author of three previous novels and numerous works of nonfiction, is an observer to his core. He successfully enumerates the many forces and influences that shape an individual life. But what the novel lacks is the kind of quiet interiority that makes for unforgettable characters. We are told what Jugnu and Jadu think; it is seldom that we see for ourselves what they feel.

MY BELOVED LIFE | By Amitava Kumar | Knopf | 352 pp. | $29

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I quit buying from Amazon 4 years ago. I get better deals on products elsewhere but still have to use their services.

  • I quit buying from Amazon during the first COVID lockdown.
  • I've found community, not just commerce, in brick-and-mortar stores.
  • A break from big tech may never be 100% clean.

Insider Today

In the summer of 2020, when COVID-19 had us stuck in our homes, the only things left on the city streets were fleets of delivery vans — a lifeline for many and the final straw for me.

For a long time, I hadn't been comfortable with the environmental and social impacts of online megastores. So, as e-commerce reached a fever pitch during the pandemic, I vowed never to order from Amazon again.

I quickly realized I'd made the right choice, but as time went on, I also discovered that my cut from one of the world's biggest companies wasn't quite as clean as I'd thought.

Buying online isn't always best for your wallet

The first thing I noticed when quitting buying from Amazon was that I didn't actually need 90% of what I ordered. The convenience of being able to hop on Amazon for any item you think of, no matter how obscure, results in you buying every item you think of, no matter how much you need it.

Impulse purchases used to be candy bars at the checkout, but anything can be an impulse buy when it's just one click away. Abstaining from Amazon — and all the online megastores — meant I no longer made those impulse purchases, and, unsurprisingly, life went on.

What surprised me, however, was that I wasn't as shrewd a shopper as I'd thought. I'd taken it for granted that because something was online, it was the best deal you were going to find. But, after avoiding Amazon for a few months, I realized that wasn't always true — the same item I've found in a store can be double the price when looking online.

Brick-and-mortar stores are about community as much as commerce

Browsing brick-and-mortar stores isn't just about buying. A few years ago, if I needed parts for a stereo, equipment for sports, or gear for old cameras, I would have ordered them online. Now, I venture into the real world.

This has allowed me to explore new neighborhoods, support small businesses, and, most importantly, meet new people. Small stores for specialized items become hubs for the communities they serve, and I've gone from sitting in my apartment buying things online to hanging out in-store, chatting with people about the things I enjoy.

As the months turned into years, I continued to ride high and mighty on my anti-Amazon horse, but that all came crashing down when I decided to dig a bit deeper.

You may be using Amazon without even knowing it

I thought I was quitting Amazon by simply not buying things online, but the company directly owns sites such as IMDb and Twitch, both of which I've used in the past few years without even questioning.

What's more, a chunk of Amazon's revenue, and most of their operating profit, actually comes from Amazon Web Services, which is the tech that underpins many of the websites, apps, and services that we use every day, whether that's Facebook, LinkedIn, or even Netflix.

So, while I haven't bought anything on Amazon for almost four years, I've certainly used their services. I don't think that detracts from the positives of quitting buying from Amazon, but it does give some perspective.

Quitting online megastores certainly has its perks, but in a digital age when everything is so connected, making a clean break is often much harder than you think. And, in the case of a giant such as Amazon, it may not even be possible at all.

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Watch: Prime Day deals aren't the only way Amazon gets you to spend more. Here are 13 of the company's sneaky tricks.

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For women in prison, degree program creates new life pathways.

Incarcerated woman with tattooed hand holding a copy of the book “Future Shock”

“ Literature and the Future” required students to read 13 books over the course of the semester, including Alvin Toffler’s 1970 non-fiction book. (Photos by Allie Barton)

Karmen Englert was in college in South Dakota when, in 2008, her mother died of a drug overdose.

“ I left, took off like a nomad, started selling drugs, and got in a lot of trouble,” she said.

Now incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, Englert, 39, was recently able, after many years, to pick up where she left off. She’s in her second year of studies in a degree program co-run by the Yale Prison Education Initiative (YPEI) and the University of New Haven and the only four-year college degree program currently running at any federal prison for women in the United States.

Last fall her course load immersed her in philosophy, psychology, and futuristic literature. Studying can be a challenge amid the din of a prison — Englert blocks out distractions by listening to music on her headphones.

But it’s put her on a path toward a long-term goal: becoming an advocate for the incarcerated.

“ I’ve learned a lot about myself, and the teachers have opened up a lot of doors for me that I don’t think I would have found otherwise,” Englert said. “They’ve made me believe I could be something other than what I always thought I was — a criminal.”

Founded in 2016, the Yale Prison Education Initiative at Dwight Hall initially offered liberal arts courses, taught by Yale faculty, to men incarcerated at the state-run MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution, the largest prison in the Northeast, in Suffield, Connecticut.

Then, in 2021, with the support of a $1.5 million grant from the Mellon Foundation , YPEI in partnership with the University of New Haven began offering degree programs at the prison. All of the students’ Yale credits transfer toward associate’s and bachelor’s degrees from the University of New Haven.

YPEI expanded to the Danbury facility in the fall of 2022 after the prison’s education supervisor reached out to Zelda Roland, ’08, ’16 Ph.D., the program’s founder and director.

The program is proving transformative for all involved, Roland said.

“ It has the potential to change these women’s trajectories, and to make a generational impact,” she said. “It is changing our Yale students and faculty who participate in the program, as they find that their on-campus teaching and learning is richer as a result.

“ And of course, we are changing what is possible inside of a prison, staking space and ground for higher education. Not just credits and degrees, but a real liberal arts community that is thriving.”

View of trees from the window in a prison visitation room.

‘ They start to dream out pathways’

The Yale Prison Education Initiative is part of the Consortium for the Liberal Arts in Prison, a national program dedicated to the premise that academic standards and expectations in a prison setting should be just as rigorous as on the participating universities’ main campuses.

Many studies have shown that access to higher education in prison results in lower rates of recidivism and a higher likelihood of employment. A 2021 study of the impacts of the Bard Prison Initiative, which has operated through Bard College since 2001, found that participation in the program resulted in a 38.6% drop in recidivism across students of all races.

Based at Dwight Hall, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, YPEI draws financial support from private grants, individual donations, and, through University of New Haven Financial Aid, Pell grants, the federal tuition aid for low-income persons, for those students who are eligible.

Yale also subsidizes the program, which now includes partners from across the university campus. Yale’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences provides one paid faculty member per semester to teach at either MacDougall-Walker or Danbury. Student teachers from the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences also offer courses through a professional development opportunity. And the Yale School of Art contributes more than $20,000 annually to support a competitive fellowship for graduates of the Master of Fine Arts program to teach art courses in prison over the summer.

Additional faculty members are paid through funds raised through Dwight Hall or the University of New Haven.

The University of New Haven, in addition to providing faculty for the program, administers the Pell grants, and handles student enrollment and the transfer of any prior credits, and provides regular student support, advising, library and success resources. Students who are released from prison prior to completing their degree are able to continue on campus at the university.

About 20 students are currently enrolled in the program at the Danbury prison. Another 12 will be accepted during the next round of admissions before this summer, Roland said.

As part of the admissions process, students fill out an application that includes a series of short-answer questions and an essay prompt. (They must have a high school diploma or a G.E.D. to be considered.)

Woman writing in notebook

“ We ask, what’s your highest educational ambition? What’s your dream job?” Roland said. “We love asking those questions because a lot of times students have never had the opportunity to answer them before. They start to dream out pathways for themselves.”

About half of the applicants are invited to an interview before a committee comprised of YPEI staff, program faculty, and formerly incarcerated alumni determines the final admissions.

Erin Smolin, who applied for the program in 2022, remembers how nervous she was when she was invited for an interview.

“ It was the first professional interview I’ve ever had in my life,” she said.

The committee asked her to tell them about a book that had left a lasting impression. She chose “Where the Crawdads Sing,” the 2018 novel by Delia Owens, and a lively conversation ensued.

“ I really think that book is what got me in,” Smolin said.

Students have a choice of up to seven classes offered by Yale and UNH each semester; they may take up to five classes at a time. Earning an associate’s degree requires fulfilling 60 credits; a bachelor’s degree is 120 credits. The first degrees at Danbury are expected to be awarded this spring, with a ceremony later in 2024.

Women in prison uniforms laughing

‘ Now that I’ve been given a chance, I won’t go back’

One afternoon in November, nine women in tan uniforms took their seats in the Danbury prison’s large visitation room for “Literature and the Future,” a course taught by R. John Williams, an associate professor of English and film & media studies in Yale’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

After returning graded essays to the students, Williams opened the discussion of that week’s assignment, “Future Shock,” the 1970 non-fiction book by Alvin Toffler.

In many ways, the class functioned like any other. Williams stood at the front of the room, book in hand, asking questions and moderating the discussion. Students took turns reading from the text and offering their interpretations. Whenever Williams jotted down a new term or concept on the large whiteboard, the students dutifully copied it into their notes.

Yale Professor R. John Williams jots notes on a white board.

Like the students who take the same course on Yale’s campus, the Danbury students read 13 books over the course of the semester, write 25 pages over three essays, and are expected to join class each week prepared to engage in discussion.

But teaching and learning in a correctional institution, even a low-security facility like this one, comes with considerable constraints. Access to the Internet, laptops, or cell phones is prohibited. And Williams is not allowed to bring in any sort of audiovisual equipment.

“ We’re using the text, we have a good dictionary and a whiteboard,” said Williams, who has taught at Yale since 2009. “I can bring in a handout, but it’s very old school.”

The students must handwrite their essays; they rely on Wite-Out to correct errors. To obtain research materials for their papers students must fill out request forms that are then forwarded to trained student volunteers at Yale. The volunteers tap into Yale’s library databases to track down materials that are most relevant for the students’ requests and then deliver them to the prison. The turnaround takes about a week.

“ The constraints are pretty intense for these students,” Williams said. “But they bring a real focus and desire to the classroom that is admirable, especially considering the hostility of the environment they’re in, the stresses that they go through. The fact that they are bringing this much dedication and earnestness to the project is inspiring to me.”

Many of the usual institutional academic supports for students are provided by Tracy Westmoreland, the program’s site director at Danbury. Westmoreland acts as an academic advisor, financial aid liaison, volunteer scheduler, career counselor, and last-minute researcher for students who need help. And once the students are released from prison, Westmoreland works with them to find a place to continue their education.

“ I’m like a little mini dean,” he said. “I’m trying to offer emotional support and academic support.”

Tracy Westmoreland and YPEI students

Danbury prison administrators and staff are “incredibly supportive,” he said, and even allowed for a recent concert by an experimental performance group led by Randall Horton, a professor of English at the University of New Haven who was previously incarcerated.

Stormi Ingle, another student enrolled in the program at Danbury, attended that show. During a Q&A session afterward, she told Horton how inspiring it was to see a formerly incarcerated person who is now a tenured college professor. She has the same aspiration.

Ingle estimates that she spends about 24 hours a week on assignments for her three YPEI classes. Completing the course work is so invigorating, she said, she regularly shares what she’s learned with other inmates, as well as family members. (Her mother, proud of Ingle’s studies, recently bought a Yale sweater.)

Before her experience in the program, Ingle said, “I didn’t know that I was smart, if that makes sense. I had self-doubt.”

Anna Ivy, another student, said a college degree was never something she even considered, given a childhood marked by abuse and, later, her own heroin addiction. In a conversation last November, just a day before her release from Danbury, Ivy said that YPEI had given her “a purpose,” and that she would continue to work toward a degree after she returned home to Arkansas.

“ Addiction made me feel helpless,” she said. “Now that I’ve been given a chance, I won’t go back.”

Michelle Beagle, left, and Anna Ivy in a “Literature and the Future” discussion.

Another student, Michelle Beagle, still has 10 years left on her sentence. In the meantime, she’s throwing herself into her studies; at 45, she has only just discovered how much she loves to write. She hopes one day to work as a drug and alcohol counselor.

Education has given her and her fellow students a sense of self-worth, Beagle said.

“ I see women here carry themselves differently now,” she said. “We’re good people who made bad decisions.”

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The Staggering Scale of Food Waste, Explained

The US wastes a third of its food. Here’s where it happens and how.

Person disposing of uneaten food.

Most people don’t set out to waste food. And yet, we’re pretty much all guilty of it. 

It happens everywhere in our food system. Tomatoes that don’t meet product specifications get left on the vine at farms. Byproducts of processed foods get tossed out on the manufacturing line. Ugly lemons get picked over at the supermarket. At home, we throw out the wilting spinach in our refrigerator that we bought when we had grand plans to cook, then ended up ordering takeout instead.

All of these things add up; food waste cost the US $428 billion in 2022. In addition to the monetary costs, wasted food could be going to those who need it— 12.8 percent of American households were food insecure in 2022. Environmentally, the US is expending 6.1 percent of its greenhouse gas emissions on food that never gets eaten, as well as an estimated 16 percent of US cropland and 22 percent of its freshwater use.

The thing is, reducing wasted food is completely possible. A close look at where it happens in the food system, and how, reveals how interventions can make a difference in achieving our food waste goals.

Big goals for 2030

In 2015, the United Nations created a Sustainable Development Goal, or SDG, to halve food waste at the consumer and retail levels by 2030. The US joined in pursuit of this goal, thereby taking on the biggest food waste challenge in the world.

Now, in 2024, we have passed the halfway point to that deadline, but food waste is still a monumental problem in the US.

However, there have been some interesting fluctuations in this trend. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown exposed weaknesses in our food system, but it also dramatically changed people’s eating habits, as well as their waste habits. Research indicates that the onset of the pandemic resulted in reductions in household food waste in many countries at first … “and then kind of a return to normal levels of waste thereafter,” says Brian Roe, leader of the Ohio State Food Waste Collaborative.

We don’t have definitive data as to why, but Roe offers a guess: In general, people were home more, going to the grocery store less frequently and not eating out at restaurants as much. As things began to re-open, food waste levels went back to “normal.”

Another interesting part of the food waste discussion at the national level is that municipal composting programs are becoming more common . However, compost doesn’t count toward the SDG food waste reduction goals. These measures will have to be achieved through upstream interventions. So, where in the food system can this happen?

On the farm: 16.8 percent of surplus food 

When it comes to fruits and vegetables, Dana Gunders, executive director of ReFED, says occasional overproduction can be attributed to fluctuating markets. Because of that, growers are always playing a guessing game about how much they will be able to sell and the price they will fetch versus the basic cost of harvest.

There’s also the question of aesthetics. “You also have products that are systematically left in the field because of their specs. They’re not meeting specs, for one reason or another. It could be size, shape, color, sweetness, but it also could be that they have two weeks of shelf life left instead of three.”

Labor or budget shortages can also result in food left on the vine—perhaps farms only find it possible to pay workers to go out in the field twice instead of three times and food gets left behind. Gleaning programs can address this.

But produce isn’t the only food that can be wasted on farms. Gunders says produce gets a lot of the focus, but that there are also wasted eggs, meat, dairy and commodity grains.

Tomatoes on an aging tomato plant.

Tomatoes left on the plant. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

In processing: 14.7 percent of surplus food

Manufacturing is decently efficient, says Gunders. But the byproducts of certain items can be a source of wasted food in the system. For example, if you’re making french fries, you may be tossing your potato peels, even though they are edible. 

The upcycled food movement has stepped in to try to figure out how to address some of these issues.

At grocery stores and restaurants: 20.2 percent of surplus food

A typical grocery store sells tens of thousands of different items, a fair few of which are not shelf-stable. Grocery stores must estimate how much of something they think they will sell, and they won’t always get it right. US grocery stores produce five million tons of food waste annually.

Seventy percent of the food wasted at restaurants happens in the front of the house, not in the kitchen. Often, this happens through big portions. Patrons can’t finish the food and it gets left on the plate.

A handful of states have passed legislation addressing surplus food at this level, either through organic waste bans, providing tax incentives to donate surplus food or liability protections for donated food, such as that which has passed its “best by” date. You can find more about what each state is up to using ReFED’s Policy Finder .

Uneaten food in a garbage receptacle.

Uneaten food in a garbage receptacle. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

At home: 48.2 percent of surplus food

The biggest food waste occurs at home. This makes the environmental impact even stronger—not only is the food wasted, but so much energy was used to get it from the farm, through the food system and into your kitchen. 

“It really boils down to the fact that we’re not very good at managing our food,” says Gunders. 

Fortunately, steps for reducing your home footprint are pretty accessible. A recent pilot study out of the University of Guelph found that at-home educational interventions can help reduce food waste. You can access the manual it used at home here . And for actionable tips for what you can do at home, read our how-to here .  

“I’m a big believer that we need to chip away at the consumer level because it is the source of the most. And by the time it gets to the consumer, it has embedded increasing amounts of energy and other resources. You’ve transported it a few more times, you’ve refrigerated it for longer, you burned more energy [and] created more emissions to get it to the consumer level,” says Roe.

Prevention vs. reaction

When it comes to food waste solutions, many fall on one end of the spectrum or the other: preventing food from being wasted in the first place versus getting use out of it once it has been wasted. Both sides are valuable.

Preventive strategies help cut down on the amount of money and energy used to create food that doesn’t get eaten. 

But disposing of wasted food the right way is also important. Landfills are the third greatest producers of human-driven methane in the US. An EPA study from 2023 found that an estimated 58 percent of the methane produced by landfills was due to food waste. Food, when tossed in the landfill, generates this greenhouse gas. The way to cut down on this is by redirecting food waste away from landfills. Compost, if managed properly through the integration of oxygen, will not create such high levels of methane. Check out our tips on compost best practices here .

“Getting a system in place throughout the country to really systematically get that food out of landfills, is now taking, I would say, more prominence as a good climate strategy,” says Gunders.

Click to read expert tips about how to cut your food waste at home.

Learn more. Most of the data used in this article was sourced from ReFED, a leader in understanding food waste through data. Check out its homepage , Insights Engine and Policy Finder for more information.

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  19. A reflective essay on life after lockdown

    That takes me to life after lockdown. For me, it is about to keep on living a quieter life. In my experience, I don't derive a lot of meaning from buying, shopping, staying on top of trends and ...

  20. Lockdown Essay In English

    Lockdown Essay In English - 1600 in words. This is a kind of emergency, which is a step taken keeping in mind the health of the people. Along with India, many other countries of the world adopted a lockdown to prevent an epidemic called corona, and with the help of this, social distance was tried to be made so that corona could be defeated.

  21. Essay on What I Learned During Lockdown

    What I Learned During Lockdown Essay 10 Lines (100 - 150 Words) 1) Lockdown was a new experience that I faced during the Corona pandemic. 2) Initially it was terrifying but later I utilized it well. 3) During lockdown I learned cooking from my mother. 4) I love reading novels so I finished many of them during the lockdown.

  22. School Lockdown Drills Help Students Feel Safer: Study

    FRIDAY, Feb. 23, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Lockdown drills have become a shudder-inducing part of American life, preparing kids to lie low and keep quiet if a gunman chooses to roam their school.

  23. Essay on How Lockdown Affected Life

    Essay on Impact of lockdown | Coronavirus Impact on Students and other people. With the outbreak of covid 19, the world was locked down. The fast-paced life came to a standstill. Covid 19, a disease caused by Corona Virus, started in China initially and spread all over the globe. All were helpless because the medical fraternity could not invent ...

  24. 10 Things I Learned During Lockdown Essay for Student

    3. Learned Managing and Organizing. The best thing I learned during lockdown is managing and organizing. I used to be a messy person before lockdown. Like my things were always here and there scattered around the whole house. The COVID-19 lockdown gives me time to realize this mistake. I started organizing my things.

  25. What I Learn During Lockdown Essay In English

    Long Essay - 1300 words. There was a lockdown all over the world due to the Corona pandemic. To prevent the spread of corona, the lockdown started at different times in different countries of the world. The lockdown was introduced in India on the night of 24 March 2020 due to the Corona epidemic.

  26. Book Review: 'My Beloved Life,' by Amitava Kumar

    Feb. 23, 2024, 5:00 a.m. ET. MY BELOVED LIFE, by Amitava Kumar. Amitava Kumar's new novel is titled "My Beloved Life," but a more accurate (and clunkier) title might be "My Beloved Life ...

  27. I Quit Buying From Amazon 4 Years Ago; Here's What I've Learned

    Essay by Eden Flaherty. 2024-02-18T11:53:01Z ... I quit buying from Amazon during the first COVID lockdown. I've found community, not just commerce, in brick-and-mortar stores.

  28. For women in prison, degree program creates new life pathways

    After returning graded essays to the students, Williams opened the discussion of that week's assignment, "Future Shock," the 1970 non-fiction book by Alvin Toffler. In many ways, the class functioned like any other. Williams stood at the front of the room, book in hand, asking questions and moderating the discussion.

  29. The Staggering Scale of Food Waste, Explained

    The biggest food waste occurs at home. This makes the environmental impact even stronger—not only is the food wasted, but so much energy was used to get it from the farm, through the food system and into your kitchen. "It really boils down to the fact that we're not very good at managing our food," says Gunders.