🇬🇧United Kingdom · 20s
The Year of Lockdown
COVID-19, Brexit done, and Captain Tom walked for the NHS.
4 milestones of 2020
Boris Johnson announced: 'You must stay at home.' The UK locked down. Schools closed. The NHS was overwhelmed. Over 75,000 would die by year's end.
Pandemic — honor the dead, respect healthcare workers, acknowledge ongoing grief
The UK fully left the EU at 11pm on New Year's Eve. After 47 years. The trade deal was signed on Christmas Eve. 'Getting Brexit Done' was done.
Politically divisive — present factually
99-year-old Captain Tom Moore walked 100 laps of his garden, raising £33 million for the NHS. He was knighted by the Queen. The nation's wartime spirit, personified.
Every Thursday at 8pm, Britain stood on doorsteps and clapped for NHS workers. Unity in lockdown — though the gesture later became controversial.
70% local · 30% international
1917
Sam Mendes — One continuous shot through WWI trenches. British cinema at its most immersive.
Soul (Disney+)
Pete Docter — Pixar at its most philosophical. Christmas Day release.
Tenet
Christopher Nolan — Time-bending thriller. One of few big cinema releases of the year.
The Gentlemen
Guy Ritchie — Major UK release — TMDB 7.7
Zappa
Alex Winter — Major UK release — TMDB 7.3
Normal People
Apr 2020 — Sally Rooney adaptation on BBC Three. Connell's chain. Lockdown viewing obsession.
Tiger King
Mar 2020 — Netflix's wild documentary. Lockdown's first shared obsession.
Clapping coverage
Mar-May 2020 — BBC covered the Thursday 8pm clap. Unifying and then divisive.
Currency: GBP
Inflation: 0.9%
GDP fell 9.9% — worst in 300 years. Furlough scheme kept millions employed. 'Eat Out to Help Out' briefly cheered — then spread the virus.
Inflation-adjusted values
Zoom
Video calls became daily life. 'You're on mute' — Britain's catchphrase.
NHS COVID-19 app
Contact tracing app launched. Mixed results.
Deliveroo/Just Eat
Food delivery apps became essential services.
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