Five Years On: Remembering the Dawn of a New Reality in Rutland and Beyond,

Five Years On: Remembering the Dawn of a New Reality in Rutland and Beyond, 

Covid Support Officers (employed by Rutland County Council)

Five years. It seems both a lifetime and a blink of an eye since the world, and indeed our corner of Rutland, was irrevocably altered. It was around this time, in late March 2020, that the word "Covid" began to seep into our daily consciousness, a distant murmur that would soon become a deafening roar.  As the country grappled with the emerging threat, life as we knew it began to unravel, leaving an indelible mark on our communities. 

For many in Rutland, the initial shock manifested in ways both unsettling and surreal. The familiar rhythm of daily life was disrupted as news of lockdowns trickled in. Suddenly, the simple act of popping to the shops became a strategic mission, met with the stark reality of empty supermarket shelves. The hunt for essentials, once taken for granted, became a shared experience of anxiety and uncertainty.

Tesco Oakham

Then came the visual cues of a world transformed. Mask wearing, initially a foreign concept, became commonplace, a silent shield in public spaces. Social distancing, with its awkward hesitations and adjusted interactions, became the new norm. Even the mundane act of using a public toilet was briefly suspended, a stark reminder of the invisible enemy we were facing.

Rutland, known for its tranquil beauty and close-knit communities, was not immune to these changes.  An unfamiliar sight appeared on our streets: Covid Support Officers, tasked with navigating the evolving regulations and offering guidance. While largely met with understanding in our smaller towns and villages, the national picture painted a different story. In larger cities, the anxieties and frustrations of a locked-down nation spilled onto the streets. Protests, fueled by a mix of fear, misinformation, and a desire for normalcy, became a recurring feature of news bulletins.

Looking back, it's easy to forget the sheer uncertainty of those early days. The constant flux of information, the fear of the unknown, and the profound disruption to our routines created a unique and challenging period. Yet, amidst the anxiety, there were also moments of resilience and community spirit. Neighbours checked in on each other, local businesses adapted in remarkable ways, and a newfound appreciation for essential workers emerged.

Five years on, the immediate crisis has subsided, but the echoes of that period remain. The way we work, socialise, and even think about hygiene has been subtly, and sometimes dramatically, altered. The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in our systems and societies, but it also highlighted our capacity for adaptation and compassion.

While Rutland may not have witnessed the large-scale protests seen in urban centres, the shared experience of lockdowns, empty shelves, and the collective effort to navigate a global health crisis has undoubtedly shaped our community. As we reflect on those unprecedented times, it's important to remember the lessons learned, the sacrifices made, and the enduring spirit that helped us navigate the dawn of a new reality. The five years since Covid first entered our lives serve as a powerful reminder of our interconnectedness and the enduring strength of community in the face of adversity.

Businesses Faced a Fork in the Road: Closure, Adaptation, and the Uneven Playing Field

The arrival of Covid-19 five years ago forced a dramatic reckoning for businesses across the country, including those in Rutland.  Many faced the stark choice of temporary or even permanent closure, while others scrambled to adapt to a radically altered landscape. This period highlighted a significant disparity, particularly for smaller independent shops compared to larger supermarket chains like Tesco.

While numerous smaller retailers were compelled to shutter their doors, often deemed non-essential under the evolving restrictions, large supermarkets were permitted to remain open, providing essential goods. However, the frustration for small business owners stemmed from the fact that these supermarkets often continued to sell a wide range of products, including items that smaller shops were prohibited from trading.

Greetings cards became a particularly visible example of this contentious situation.  Local card shops, gift shops, and newsagents, whose primary business often revolved around such items, were forced to close. Meanwhile, supermarkets like Tesco continued to stock and sell greetings cards alongside groceries, creating a sense of unfair competition. This disparity fueled resentment amongst small business owners who felt their livelihoods were being unfairly undermined during an already precarious time.

The pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of small businesses, many of whom lacked the resources and infrastructure to quickly pivot to online sales or operate under strict social distancing guidelines.  In contrast, larger chains had the scale and adaptability to navigate the restrictions more effectively.

Looking back, the experience underscores the significant challenges faced by the local business community in Rutland and across the nation. While the need to control the spread of the virus was paramount, the uneven playing field created by the regulations left a lasting impact on many small enterprises, highlighting the delicate balance between public health measures and economic viability. The story of the greetings cards serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles and the sense of injustice felt by many independent business owners during those unprecedented times.

A Microcosm of Pandemic Shopping

Tesco in Oakham and other supermarkets in Rutland, like supermarkets across the nation, became a focal point of the early pandemic experience.  Shoppers at the Rutland branch encountered a series of unprecedented measures as the country grappled with the unfolding crisis.

The initial wave of panic buying led to empty shelves, a stark visual representation of the anxieties gripping the community. To manage demand, product rationing was introduced, limiting the number of essential items customers could purchase.  Navigating the aisles became a carefully choreographed dance of social distancing, with shoppers cautiously giving each other space.

To further control the flow of people, a one-way system was implemented throughout the store, sometimes leading to confusion and frustration.  The instruction of one person per trolley added another layer of complexity to the weekly shop, particularly for families.  The cumulative effect of these measures often resulted in lots of queuing, both outside the store and at the checkout, a stark contrast to the usual swift efficiency of supermarket shopping.

Amidst the stories of price gouging that emerged elsewhere, Tesco Oakham, in contrast to at least one nearby pharmacy, did not resort to such practices.  The fact that they did not charge £10 for a packet of paracetamol stands out as a point of relative stability and ethical conduct during a time of widespread uncertainty. This detail, though specific to one location, reflects a broader narrative of how different businesses responded to the crisis, with some prioritising community needs while others were accused of exploiting the situation.

The Great Toilet Roll Rush of 2020: A Pandemic Puzzle

No Loo Roll!

One of the most bizarre and enduring images of the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic was the inexplicable rush on toilet roll.  Across Rutland and the wider UK, supermarket aisles were stripped bare of this everyday essential, leaving many scratching their heads in bewilderment. Why, amidst a respiratory virus outbreak, did toilet paper become the coveted commodity?

Several factors converged to create this peculiar phenomenon. At the heart of it was fear and uncertainty. The sudden onset of the pandemic triggered a wave of anxiety. With lockdowns looming and the future unpredictable, people sought a sense of control in the one area they could influence: their household supplies. Stockpiling seemingly essential items like toilet roll provided a tangible way to feel prepared in the face of an invisible threat.   

Adding to this was the power of social contagion. As news and images of empty shelves began to circulate, a "fear of missing out" (FOMO) mentality took hold. Seeing others stockpile prompted individuals to do the same, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy of scarcity, even if the supply chain wasn't genuinely threatened initially. Toilet paper, being bulky and prominently displayed in supermarkets, became a highly visible symbol of this panic.

Furthermore, there was a practical, albeit somewhat exaggerated, element to the demand. With more people staying home due to lockdowns, the usage of household toilet paper naturally increased, while demand for commercial toilet paper in offices and public spaces decreased. This shift in consumption patterns, combined with the psychological factors at play, led to a surge in demand that retailers were initially unprepared for.   

While the great toilet roll shortage seems comical in hindsight, it offered a glimpse into the collective psyche during a crisis. It highlighted our primal need for security, the powerful influence of social behaviour, and the sometimes irrational ways we cope with uncertainty.  Even in Rutland, where perhaps the scenes weren't as dramatic as in larger cities, the empty shelves served as a stark reminder of the unprecedented times we were living through.  The memory of the "toilet paper panic" remains a quirky yet significant marker of those early pandemic days.

Manchester Protests

Initially Public Toilets and Children's Playgrounds were closed.

If you needed to try on a pair of shoes you were required to wear disposable socks.

Face masks and Queuing became the norm.

The New Litter Problem

Social Distancing Scheme Oakham Market Place

Rutland County Council Car Park Closed

The Online Shopping Boom