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Today is six months since lockdown - over that time @ons kept a Diary of a Nation, using our weekly Opinions survey to track key indicators of how we are coping and adapting.
Today you can read the diary, including comments people made in the free text https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/dvc983/Diary_of_a_nation-20200907082746841/index.html
Today you can read the diary, including comments people made in the free text https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/dvc983/Diary_of_a_nation-20200907082746841/index.html
Back in March - many of us thought life would be back to normal within six months
But did anyone really have too much of an idea what lay ahead?
"Lack of any idea about when and how things might 'return to normal'"
But did anyone really have too much of an idea what lay ahead?
"Lack of any idea about when and how things might 'return to normal'"
April saw some of the highest levels of anxiety and lowest levels of happiness
We got used to video calls - but it wasn't the same
"I miss being able to hug the people I love and can't be with. Skype is great, but it's not the same"
We got used to video calls - but it wasn't the same
"I miss being able to hug the people I love and can't be with. Skype is great, but it's not the same"
In May we found 87% of children were being homeschooled
A half of adults said they were confident to do this - but 43% said homeschooling was affecting their children's wellbeing
"My child is not motivated to self-direct her learning and her education is suffering"
A half of adults said they were confident to do this - but 43% said homeschooling was affecting their children's wellbeing
"My child is not motivated to self-direct her learning and her education is suffering"
Although others found the experience of homeschooling much more positive
"I've actually really enjoyed having my family at home and homeschooling our kids"
"I've actually really enjoyed having my family at home and homeschooling our kids"
Lockdown measures eased in June and the country started to socialise with others and leave the house more
But not everyone enjoyed the freedoms - the virus was still a worry
"I still don't feel safe when I go outside, not everyone keeps their distance"
But not everyone enjoyed the freedoms - the virus was still a worry
"I still don't feel safe when I go outside, not everyone keeps their distance"
July we saw increasing use of face coverings - and they became mandatory at different points in Scotland, England and Wales in different ways
"Missing human touch and general interaction affected by mask wearing - missing a lot of communication and connection as a result"
"Missing human touch and general interaction affected by mask wearing - missing a lot of communication and connection as a result"
In August we reported GDP had fallen by 20.4% in quarter 2 - although increasingly people were travelling to work rather than at home
Money worries are affecting many
"I have not got the money to do the things I did before lockdown... "
Money worries are affecting many
"I have not got the money to do the things I did before lockdown... "
Others were able to save money
"I'm saving more money (due to not commuting and not shopping for non-essentials as much or spending on social activities"
Of course others worried about their business
"I'm worried if I have to close my coffee shop again..."
"I'm saving more money (due to not commuting and not shopping for non-essentials as much or spending on social activities"
Of course others worried about their business
"I'm worried if I have to close my coffee shop again..."
September and a return to school, but with worries about coronavirus and settling in
"My son was anxious and did not like his new bubble without his friends"
"I am worried about the school's ability to maintain social distancing"
But many parents had little worry at all
"My son was anxious and did not like his new bubble without his friends"
"I am worried about the school's ability to maintain social distancing"
But many parents had little worry at all
Older students face a challenging environment with a mix of lessons and distance learning
"I can go to college to do partial work, but by appointment only - it's not the same"
"I've had my A-level exams cancelled and have no idea how the start of Uni will happen in September"
"I can go to college to do partial work, but by appointment only - it's not the same"
"I've had my A-level exams cancelled and have no idea how the start of Uni will happen in September"
