Photo Diaries of COVID-19: Lockdown in Durham

Photos and article by: Iqbal Ahmed

The unprecedented disruption of COVID-19 robbed our lives in Durham, just like everywhere else on Earth. The lockdown took effect in late March in the U.K., disrupting our lives, and limiting our freedom to move about. The City Centre in Durham - a place where people mingled, shopped, dined, and sipped tea - suddenly became desolate as these same people were consumed with anxiety and uncertainty.

The emptiness echoed everywhere. The city streets that saw the hustle and bustle of students, local residents, and tourists became stomping grounds for the other local natives – the ducks. They were puzzled by this sudden lack of human presence, but they remained curious about it.

Nature took its own course, exploiting the absence of humans: colours danced in the sky, the wind whispered, and flowers bloomed. Empty sidewalks became their tabletop, undisturbed earth their vase.

The university should have hummed and buzzed with students enjoying a bit of the spring sunshine, but everywhere around the university there was a deafening silence. Concrete, streetlamps, and trees witnessed the fear and anxiety of the pandemic and the accompanying lockdown.

New rules of engagement dominated our lives. No hugs, no kisses. Only a void of empty space between us – 2m to be exact - reminded everyone that love and affection can wait. Life became the priority and staying alive dominated people’s lives. Stores like Sainsbury’s welcomed people but not without the warnings and reminders of the dangers of COVID-19.

While lockdown has continued and people stay inside, struggling to go about their own chores and habits, responsibilities and deadlines, there is a reminder that tells us to get back up and keep moving forward. Because this may soon come to an end.

Iqbal Ahmed is a PhD student in human geography at Durham University, UK.