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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think that the clap for the NHS is stupid?

47 replies

Howfar12 · 20/04/2020 15:25

I don’t understand people clapping for the NHS and saying how much they appreciate them. Obviously they are doing an amazing job, but so are so many other people in other jobs.

Working during a time of crisis to save lives is their job, so AIBU to think that there’s no need for such a fuss?

OP posts:
SavoyCabbage · 20/04/2020 15:26

There are one billion thread on this. Well, one million and one.

user1471517900 · 20/04/2020 15:30

I don't understand why my kids thank me for dinner. Obviously I'm doing an amazing job, but so are many other mums and dads.

Keeping them alive is my job so AIBU to feel they don't need to fuss..... I mean, who likes being nice to people. Not me.

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 20/04/2020 15:30

Yawn.....

SpillTheTeaa · 20/04/2020 15:32

Grumpy guts

Brevityisthesoulofwit · 20/04/2020 16:08

Don’t like it, don’t do it. What’s it hurting you?

GoatyGoatyMingeMinge · 20/04/2020 16:33

It's a pointless nonsense to to distract the gullible and to make Tory voters feel better. And if you point this out they say: "Why do people have to bring politics into it?" Grin

Sueaxlbrick · 20/04/2020 17:31

Every time someone moans about the clapping someone else will mention 'Torie voters'. Maybe it's just a nice thing to do and something to look forward to once a week when we're all stuck in our houses. A bit of solidarity with neighbours. It doesn't hurt anyone so I don't see the need to keep moaning about it.

WhyCantIThinkOfAGoodOne · 20/04/2020 17:37

Oh god not this again. People in the NHS are under particular stress because they are more likely to become exposed. I agree that many other people deserve appreciation, in my village there are lots of key worker signs thanking these people too.

Seetheprettysnowdrops · 20/04/2020 17:43

Oh look

Another thread

JigsawsAreCool · 20/04/2020 17:49

It's an acknowledgement that they are dealing with absolute fucking hell. Holding hands of dying patients whose family are on the phone sobbing they cant be there. Possibly 3rd yr nursing students doing this multiple times a shift.

Acknowledging that drs are having to make harrowing decisions over who will or wont benefit from ventilation and them having to break that to families

And that they have a higher chance than others due to viral load of dying from this. After they have watched multiple others due from it so know how horrifically brutal it is.

Also sense of community and togetherness.

That said no one should be making anyone join in if they dont want to. Do it/ dont do it. But don't make.others feel bad for their own.choice.

Original poster
Howfar12 · 20/04/2020 17:50

But how come the army don’t receive the same appreciation, for example when they served in Afghanistan or Iraq🤔🤷🏾‍♂️

OP posts:
BelfryBat · 20/04/2020 17:50

don't do it then

or are you ACTUALLY just trying to spoil it for everyone else?

x2boys · 20/04/2020 17:51

Clap.or don't clap.is there really any need however to start yet another thread about this?Every Thursday and Friday there are many ,many threads about this very subject Hmm

Greggers2017 · 20/04/2020 17:52

Anything that helps raise people's spirits at the minute is a good thing.

x2boys · 20/04/2020 17:54

I don't know why the Army didn't receive the same appreciation ,but I'm guessing you wouldn't have clapped for them either?

Original poster
Howfar12 · 20/04/2020 17:54

@x2boys I’m saying that there’s double standards

OP posts:
Original poster
Howfar12 · 20/04/2020 17:55

@BelfryBat spoiling what?

OP posts:
Amotherof6 · 20/04/2020 17:57

Don't do it if you don't want to.

If others want to clap then what harm is it doing you? Cover your ears if you want, they really aren't hurting you.

eeyore228 · 20/04/2020 17:58

Some of the wonderful people working in the NHS will.deliver horrible news to people in an ordinary shift. Now magnify that. I think about about the fact that the patients don't have their family around them and it's our nurses and drs who sit with them as they die. The fact they have to decide who has a better chance of survival. Then ring 20-30 relatives to tell them they are sorry but their loved one has passed. All the while scared for their family and themselves. I've seen many threads about damage to mental health because of having to stay home. I can imagine NHS staff may well suffer mental health for very different reasons. Yes they know what happens I'm hospitals but a global pandemic is so very different and harrowing. Some will take solace from that clapping, because someone cares and occasionally that can be all it takes to give a little strength.

Lou670 · 20/04/2020 17:59

Obviously the people on here that are being very rude by saying 'yawn' 'yet again another on this', have obviously spent their whole day/week knowing exactly what/where/how often threads are posted.

In answer to what your asked. Initially (first week) it was a gesture. Weeks onwards it is losing it's meaning. I refuse, now, to stand there looking like a demented seal lion once a week!

My daughter is a nurse (on night shift) tonight. She hates it and refuses to join in this virtual signalling! As far as she is concerned she is doing the job she has trained in.

At least she has PPE. What about the teachers that are there looking after/babysitting children of 'keyworkers' without PPE? Do we clap for these too?

BelfryBat · 20/04/2020 18:00

@howfar I enjoy showing my appreciation of key workers, especially NHS workers, who are going far above and beyond what their job normally entails. I enjoy the feeling of community and solidarity with my neighbours. If you find it a chore, stop. Just don't whinge about other people doing it.

TheFairyCaravan · 20/04/2020 18:01

But how come the army don’t receive the same appreciation, for example when they served in Afghanistan or Iraq🤔🤷🏾‍♂️

They did. Returning regiments got parades through towns, which still happen btw.

If my DS1 dies doing his job he'd get a full military funeral and we'd get a death in service payment. If DS2 dies doing his job atm we can't even have a proper funeral, I can't give his girlfriend a hug and we'd get fuck all. So you're right, there are double standards.

Tootletum · 20/04/2020 18:01

If it was actually clapping I wouldn't mind. Around us it's more like insane noise making with whistles and drums and cymbals and basically anything.

RedHelenB · 20/04/2020 18:02

Army - it should be made very clear that your role is to kill and therefore there is a risk you will be killed.

NHS worker. You are saving lives and normally not expected to put your life on the line

SleepingStandingUp · 20/04/2020 18:04

Working during a time of crisis to save lives is their job, so AIBU to think that there’s no need for such a fuss? my friends who are doctors, nurses, dieticians and student nurses did not sign up to put their lives at risk, to risk bringing home a potentially deadly virus home as a matter of liklihood, to have to choose between thst risk or moving out of their home away from their family for months. They didn't sign up to work twice as many hours as they want to because so many of their colleagues are sick. They didn't sign up for the level of death and distress they are facing every shift. The work they are doing in UNPRECEDENTED