I cannot define 'lockdown' specifically as it is blatantly clear it varies depending on where you live. However, for the purposes of this post, 'lockdown' will be measures imposed by authorities that significantly impact the general population's movement or an important part of that country/SAR/Overseas Territory etc.
The context of 'lockdown' will be for places that have covid-19 in the population and are trying to contain it, but have never been in total lockdown. Covid-19 has caused a pandemic, however not everywhere has been in lockdown. Also, not everywhere has had covid-19. It was only this year there was a positive case in Sāmoa for example. As of 30 January 2021, https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/01/1083232, Tonga has never had covid-19.
I cannot confirm if the below list is complete. Do a Google search that includes the word 'lockdown' and it's hard to find a list where lockdowns were not implemented in places that have covid.
Places with covid that have never been in lockdown:
Taiwan
Hong Kong
Sweden
Iceland
The issue is there seems to be no one recipe that works to handle the outbreak. But one thing is for sure, you don't have to be in lockdown to contain it. Taiwan has done extremely well, Hong Kong has over 10 000 infected cases and 200 deaths, which isn't good, but compared to the US, Italy, UK, Argentina, is great.
I imagine the feelings are the same. People who have never experienced lockdown can't imagine how difficult it is to be in lockdown and people who have been in lockdown, some in and out of lockdown, might find it hard to imagine never being in lockdown. However, as there was a life pre-lockdown, they can have a vague idea and daydream about it. It must be easier to contemplate not being in lockdown rather than lockdown as before covid - lockdown had never really been put into practice on a global scale.
I suppose many people have also been in lockdown, then managed to move to a place where there is no lockdown or a lot less restrictions. That must be such a positive feeling, having more freedom to move. For the people who have gone from no lockdown or less restrictions to lockdown or more restrictions, it must be harder - I think people who have experienced this exist, but in lesser numbers. Most likely at the beginning of the pandemic, when the first wave from Asia was spreading to Europe, the US, Mexico, Canada and Latin America.
One of the main issues of lockdown is the psychological aspect. People would like the option of being able to leave their home, even if they don't want to go out. But in lockdown, they don't even have this option. Many people it seems, have a hard time accepting this for whatever reason. If these people can adjust their thinking that the most important reason for the lockdown is to prevent getting sick and spreading the virus, then maybe, just maybe, they will find life easier.
Lockdown is to speed up the containment of the virus and allow us all to be able to have the freedom to move and touch and gather like we did in pre-pandemic life.
When there is no lockdown, you have to wear a mask and be careful of becoming and spreading the infection. Put a mask on, clean surfaces, stay away from people if space allows. If you are lucky, you may have access to the internet and thus a whole range of games, videos, audio, reading material. You can bake, type down your thoughts (if you don't have a pen and paper), improve your cooking skills, learn a language, re-organize your house, exercise indoors, meditate, yoga.
I would recommend not constantly reading the news or looking/reading aimlessly because that will not be good for your mental health.
- A.M.
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