That picture has been mirrored in Northumberland but its community spirit has stayed strong throughout.
Here are 19 pictures chronicling the past 12 months in Northumberland.
1. Deserted streets
Alnwick on the first day of lockdown. Photo: JPI
2. Businesses closed
Amble Harbour Village all closed up on the first day of lockdown. Photo: supplied
3. Care homes
The first lockdown was a terrible period for many care homes but residents at Summerhill Care Home in Alnwick were cheered after receiving pictures and letters from local children. Photo: supplied
4. Toilet rolls
Toilet rolls were in short supply as shoppers decimated supermarket shelves but Prudhoe-based Essity donated 60,000 loo rolls to Northumberland County Council to be distributed as part of its support delivering emergency parcels for those most at risk from the coronavirus. Photo: supplied