The BBC aired a documentary about the Covid-19 pandemic, delivering a “hard but essential” message. Love and Loss: The Pandemic 5 Years On reflected on the “awful” period when the world went into lockdown to stop the virus from spreading.
The 90-minute documentary explored the pandemic through the experiences of those who lost loved ones to Covid-19. It featured stories from 13 families across the UK, including director Catey Sexton, whose mother passed away in a care home.
Over 230,000 people lost their lives to the pandemic in the UK. The BBC documentary explores how some grieving families seek answers from the ongoing public inquiry, while others are trying to come to terms with their loss—or find it too painful to revisit that time.
Advertisement Many shared the heartbreaking reality of “never getting to say goodbye” to their loved ones due to strict lockdown rules. Catey expressed her feelings, saying, “It feels like we are in a rush to forget and move on.”
Each powerful story is woven together with archive footage from the time, capturing the shared experiences of life in lockdown. Meanwhile, a group of bereaved families is campaigning for the public inquiry, hoping it will lead to important lessons being learned.
Viewers found the poignant documentary deeply moving, calling it an “important watch.” Sharing their thoughts on X/Twitter, one person wrote: “#LoveandLoss hard but essential watch.” Another added: “#loveandloss very sad watch but highlights the total incompetence of Johnson, Hancock et al.”
Others shared their emotional reactions, with one saying: “Watching #loveandloss #thepandemic5yearson on #bbc1 and I am filled with same stifling anxiety of #covid19! May we never see those dark days again!!” Another wrote: “#loveandloss so sorry for everyone who lost someone. Luckily, we didn’t, but this programme brings back some many awful memories and the feeling of deep depression again.”
Another viewer expressed their sorrow, writing: “This is just so sad. I can’t believe it was 5 years ago. #loveandloss.”
Love And Loss: The Pandemic, Five Years On aired on BBC One on Monday, March 24.