One lockdown business success story is that of many online fitness companies. With gyms closed, people turned to online workouts. Companies like Peloton saw a huge increase in subscribers. They were able to provide high - quality fitness classes that people could do at home. Another is the rise of meal - kit delivery services. As restaurants were restricted, people preferred to cook at home with the help of these kits. Blue Apron, for example, had a significant boost in orders.
In the food industry, some delivery - only restaurants emerged as success stories during lockdown. They didn't have the overhead of a physical dining space but could still serve customers. For example, cloud kitchens focused solely on delivery orders. Also, local grocery stores that offered home delivery services thrived. People couldn't go out as freely, so having groceries delivered was very convenient for them.
One reason could be the economic impact. Lockdowns in New Zealand might have severely affected small businesses. Many had to close down permanently, leading to high unemployment rates. Also, the mental health of the population could have been negatively affected. People may have faced isolation and stress during lockdowns, which wasn't adequately addressed. And there could have been issues in the implementation of lockdown rules. Some sectors might have faced difficulties in complying, causing disruptions that outweighed the benefits of lockdown in terms of overall success.
One of the top lockdown stories could be about how families reconnected during lockdown. People who were always busy suddenly had time to sit down and have long conversations, play games together. Another might be the rise of home baking. With more time at home, many people tried their hands at baking bread and cakes. Also, the story of how local communities came together to support the vulnerable, like delivering groceries to the elderly.
One of the scary lockdown stories could be about a family that started hearing strange noises at night during lockdown. They were all alone in their house, and every night there would be a scratching sound on the walls, but they couldn't find the source.
Well, for the first horror story, there was a person who lived alone. During lockdown, they started to see strange shadows in their house at night. They were so scared but couldn't go anywhere. In the second story, a family's pet got sick during lockdown, but they couldn't find a vet easily as most were closed or not taking new patients. It was a nightmare for them. As for the third, a young girl was bullied online during lockdown because she was homeschooled and different from others. The isolation made the bullying worse.
There were also stories of people losing their jobs suddenly. For instance, a restaurant worker. Lockdown meant the restaurant had to close. He had no income and faced difficulties paying rent and buying food. It was really tough for him and his family. He had to rely on the little savings he had which quickly depleted.
Many people developed anxiety. There was a man who was always worried about getting sick during lockdown. Every time he heard a cough or sneeze, even on TV, he would get extremely nervous. He started having panic attacks and couldn't sleep well at night. The fear of the unknown and the restrictions made his mental state very fragile.
Sure. There were many families who got closer during lockdown. They had more time to cook together, play board games, and really bond. It was a time when the family unit became stronger for a lot of people.
One reason could be the economic impact. Lockdowns might have severely hit certain industries like tourism, which is a major part of New Zealand's economy. Small businesses may have struggled to survive, leading to job losses and financial hardships for many. Another aspect could be the social and mental health implications. People being restricted for long periods might have faced increased stress, loneliness, and other mental health issues.