I didn't clap

[Colacube77]

I had no idea about it! Heard the noisecat 8pm looked out the window and saw people outside clapping but couldn't see why. I'm not on social media and I didn't hear about it. Saw on the news later but I missed it. I do give a care about the NHS but now all my neighbors will think I'm terrible and don't care!

I clapped - I think it’s sad people being negative or having to bring politics into things. I’m front line nhs and I thought it was a nice way to help people feel a sense of community as well as show appreciation. I didn’t take it as virtue signalling - I did notice that most my neighbours that clapped were the ones who were pretty much staying in.
OP I’m sure no one will judge you negatively - if anyone noticed your absence they would probably assume you were unwell or didn’t know about it.

You can want more PPE and still clap. You can vote labour and still clap. You can think that the nhs should be abolished and a different healthcare system introduced and still clap. The clapping was about appreciating our healthcare workers.

And equally you can appreciate or healthcare workers (and maybe even be one of them) without clapping. I thought about it, and decided that, for me, it was essentially pointless and that there were other things that I would rather do which would actually make a tangible difference to healthcare workers. I'd urge people who want to show their appreciation, if you can afford it, to make a donation to your local hospital's charitable trust or to one of the other fund raisers in this thread.

You can want more PPE and still clap. You can vote labour and still clap. You can think that the nhs should be abolished and a different healthcare system introduced and still clap. The clapping was about appreciating our healthcare workers.

Well said

Of course you can do both. That's optimal. But sadly, as the funds being raised show, people are not, on the whole, doing both. That's the problem.

Nowt wrong with clapping at all. It'sa lovely gesture. But it needs to be backed by support that can actually achieve something, too. Or the gesture is, indeed, empty.

Clapping is good. Giving is better. Both is ideal.

But it needs to be backed by support that can actually achieve something, too. Or the gesture is, indeed, empty

Why?
Can we not just clap and show we appreciate?
From my point of view, was lovely last night.
People hanging out of windows, standing at doorsteps (all social distancing obvs!)showing their appreciation.
Couldn't miss the noise.
I have several people on FB who are NHS that made them a bit teary in a good way.....
Then you come on here and see the misery ...

Don't worry at all, I think they plan to make it a regular thing Thursday at 8pm

Have not read the whole thread so dont know if it's been said or not but the clapping will take place every thursday at 8pm

Can we not just clap and show we appreciate?

Yeah, you can. But the staff you're clapping for will fucking die without proper protective equipment, and they aren't getting it. If you clap to feel good, and can afford to donate but won't, then you don't give a shit about the NHS workers. You just like feeling warm and fuzzy. It's all about you, not them.

As I said, it's like those deadbeat fathers who post about their kids being their world, but won't pay maintenance. People who really value the NHS staffers won't just clap. If they can afford it, they'll put their hands in their pockets, too. Talk is cheap, and so is clapping.

Its Ok, you can do you clapping now.
It is not too late

And equally you can appreciate or healthcare workers (and maybe even be one of them) without clapping.

Of course. I didn’t clap.

PutColin But again, it is not an either or. You can do all of that AND clap, should you wish to join in that particular community action (assuming you know about it). You don’t have to if you don’t want to, for whatever reason, but there is nothing to stop you. You decided you didn’t want to. OK.

I clapped then I switched on facebook to the abuse the petitions the politics the we are saving your lives we deserve a pay rise (personally believe that was a goady fucker) the dont bother to clap if you wont sign this petition we also had

What about clapping for the police

What about shop workers
Bin men
Cleaners
Teachers
Care workers
Disabled people
Elderly

I would like to be able to say thank you but this senseless othering politicising arguing makes me want to say fuck it

It isn't an either or, but one actually benefits the NHS more than the other. And it would have been great if the people pushing it - radio, TV and SM had put that energy into encouraging people to donate, or start to do so. With all the current goodwill, millions could have been raised. NHS workers are split on the whole clapping idea, but I guarantee they wouldn't have been split if the publicity was to donate at 8 rather than clap at 8. Yes, of course both could still be done, but if people want to spend a finite number of minutes of time and effort on supporting staff, donate at 8 would be the best use of their efforts.

The government should be doing more it shouldn't be up to the electorate to donate especially when most people are out of work and at the mercy of the benefits system

I agree with that the government should do more. I don't agree that 'most' people are out of work and at the mercy of the benefits system though, that's not quite true. That said, of course is a really tough time for many people financially and of course I was only referring to people who are able to afford to donate.

No one in our street did it so didn't want to look like a twat myself ... plus the neighbours already think I am nuts

My daughter lives opposite an ambulance station and told me all of he
neighbours were out clapping.
I live on a cul de sac and me and my husband clapped and my next door neighbour but didn't hear anyone else from our street clapping but we heard people further away clapping and whistling.
Maybe some people didn't know and others too old or just couldn't be bothered!