Five Years Since the Pandemic: 36 Surreal Moments That Will Challenge Your Reality

Pandemic’s Five-Year Anniversary: 36 Events That Shifted Our Reality

 

It’s been five years since the start of the pandemic, a time when life as we knew it changed profoundly. As we reflect on the events that preceded lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, it’s fascinating to see how much has shifted. Here’s a look back at 36 surprising occurrences from early 2020 that will definitely make you question our current reality.

 

1. Just weeks before the pandemic hit, Charlotte Awbery gained fame on the subway for her rendition of “Shallow.” It was a moment that seemed innocent compared to the chaos that followed.

2. Super Bowl LIV featured a spectacular halftime show with Shakira and Jennifer Lopez as the co-headliners.

 

3. The Kansas City Chiefs came out on top in that championship, marking a significant win in sports history.

 

4. At that time, Travis Kelce was still in a relationship with Kayla Nicole, a fact now reminiscent of the past.

 

5. The Netflix sensation “Tiger King” made its debut, captivating audiences with its bizarre storyline.

 

6. The first season of “Love Is Blind” was trending, stirring conversations about reality TV relationships.

 

7. Major movie theaters were showcasing titles like “The Invisible Man,” “Sonic the Hedgehog,” and “Bad Boys for Life.”

 

8. At the start of 2020, chart-toppers included “Dance Monkey” from Tones and I, “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi, and Lizzo’s “Good as Hell.”

 

9. Lil Nas X celebrated his success with “Old Town Road,” taking home significant awards at the Grammy ceremony.

 

10. Billie Eilish dominated the awards night, standing out as the leading artist of the event.

 

11. Lana Del Rey made headlines by wearing a dress from Dillard’s, bringing her police officer boyfriend as her date.

 

12. At the dawn of 2020, Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green were still a couple, marking a chapter in their relationship.

 

13. Jennifer Lopez was still linked to Alex Rodriguez at the time, a surprising point in this ever-evolving celebrity landscape.

 

14. Bill Hader and Rachel Bilson were stepping out together, making their red carpet debut amid the buzz.

 

15. Channing Tatum and Jessie J also made headlines by making their relationship public at an event.

 

16. Elon Musk was in a relationship with Grimes, and at that time, he had only six children.

 

17. Nick Cannon, known for his expansive family, had three kids as of early 2020.

 

18. Just before society entered lockdown, “Parasite” took home multiple Academy Awards, marking a historic moment for foreign films.

 

19. The internet was still buzzing with jokes about “Cats,” a film that stirred plenty of controversy and laughter.

 

20. Fans were ecstatic over the reunion of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, a nostalgic moment for many.

 

21. The television landscape still featured Ellen DeGeneres, known for her daytime talk show.

 

22. “Modern Family” was functioning as a major sitcom with its run still active.

 

23. “Schitt’s Creek” was also thriving, although it concluded in April 2020.

 

24. In celebrity relationship news, Vanessa Hudgens and Austin Butler had just ended their romance, a parting that felt significant at the time.

 

25. Conversations about Jennifer Lopez being overlooked for an Oscar nomination for “Hustlers” were still prevalent.

 

26. The Democratic nomination race included a mix of prominent figures such as Michael Bloomberg, Pete Buttigieg, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, Amy Klobuchar, and Tom Steyer.

 

27. In February 2020, Pete Buttigieg secured a victory in the Iowa caucuses during the primaries.

 

28. Bernie Sanders then claimed wins in New Hampshire and Nevada, shaking up the political landscape.

 

29. In a dramatic moment, Nancy Pelosi famously tore up a copy of Donald Trump’s State of the Union address.

 

30. By the close of January 2020, Brexit had officially taken place, marking a pivotal moment in UK history.

 

31. The announcement of “Megxit” emerged as another significant departure from tradition.

 

32. Donald Trump faced acquittal by the Senate, concluding a contentious impeachment trial.

 

33. At this time, terms like “social distancing,” “superspreader,” “flattening the curve,” “N95s,” “PPE,” “variants,” and “quarantines” had yet to be part of everyday conversation.

 

34. There was no dialogue surrounding vaccine developers like Moderna or Pfizer, as the world was still in routine.

 

35. Lastly, amid the pandemic’s dawn, a notable smurf rally took place in France, a quirky moment amidst growing uncertainty.

 

As we look back on these events, it’s clear how drastically our lives and society have transformed in just five years.