Clapping the NHS at 8pm today

[Violetdaffodil]

I am an NHS worker

To all those of you who voted for the Tory party at the last election, a party that has for a long time tried to destroy the NHS and only realise our worth now that there is a serious pandemic afoot,

and to all of you who were clogging up the beaches, the Lake District, the parks in London etc without a care in the world last weekend

I don’t want to hear your hypocritical clapping out the window for the NHS workers tonight, so PLEASE DON’T

Why can’t people be gracious and except the gesture in the good spirit it is being offered

Because it doesn't really make up for the charmer yesterday screaming at our receptionists that they are fucking cunts.

"The clapping thing is silly and just for you OP, as a Tory voter, I won't clap. Oh and perhaps you would remind me who first introduced private companies and PFI to the NHS? Don't know? Let me jog your memory - it was Blair.

Just so you know, I have massive respect for those who work for the NHS but zero respect for people playing party politics at a time like this."

Yup. This. ^^^

Unless you happen to live in a street where most of your neighbours are NHS workers and those people happen to be at home and not asleep at the time then how on earth are they going to know that Betty at number 6 stood on her doorstep and applauded at 8pm?

Because they will post a video of themselves with some lame hashtag. Probably with a side of insubstantial but emotional text diarrhea.

And it will show everyone just how caring and wonderful they are.

They reckon.

I’d really much prefer it if people showed us their support by actually taking staying in and social distancing seriously.

Not ‘ I had to pop out because I was desperate for foundation’ or ‘ I had to go to 5 different shops to get mince because I fancied spag bol’ or ‘I’m not bothering with that’ when I ask you to stay 2m away from me! All of which I’ve heard just today

Each to their own and I appreciate the sentiment behind it, but I live about 4 miles away from the nearest hospital. So no one of relevance is going to hear me....

I've done the right things and I'll be clapping you all. Appalled at those that haven't although people have to work still , so it's not all cut and dried with everyone.
Sons g/ f is a nurse and she is all ready exhausted bless her. We are all grateful
Had to use 111 for my son and they were fab.
Sunday was bad with people out and about but having been isolating for a week I know how hard it is too.
These companies refusing to close are not helping matters.

As an NHS doctor I think it’s a total waste of time - it will make you feel better about yourself that’s all. It seems part of putting NHS workers temporarily on a pedestal but when this is over I will go back to being treated like crap by public and government.

People will unlikely be able to stand the recommended two metres apart for you to endure the noise pollution clapping whilst you're busy trying to work.
They will likely need to wear the PPE that you and everyone working with patients face to face so desperately need to reduce further spread.
Now that NHS parking is free, those clapping can fill the car parking spaces are needed for staff too.
Back in the day when it was advised that staff made sure shoes were not noisy or squeaky, I can't imagine clapping whilst trying to check a pulse, do a handover or anything else that needs concentration is particularly helpful.
Free/discounted and improved meal varieties food at the canteen, increased pay, a future/post corona crisis that has a creche that starts and ends before shifts do and even a free loo roll to go home from every shift sounds like a much more appropriate recognition of service.

Spot on Rocketmam this is the perfect opportunity for the self absorbed to flood social media with their endless selfies and inane comments. I'm so please I won't see any of it as I don't use SM (unless you class MN as such).

Just more fodder for social media. Hoe about give the NHS what they ACTUALLY need, you know what has been taken from them and much more. What the hell has clapping got to do with it?

Oh I know, lots of videos later showing "Look at me, I'm so good and in support, I clapped. Oh you didn't clap? You're a bad bad girl/boy. Now I'm off to have me tea and a natter with some friends. NHS who?"

Many on this thread seem to have a very low opinion of people.

I will clap as without the NHS I wouldn't be here (organ failure) and I want to show my support to them cringy or not

I had a lot of medical treatment last year, including several hospital stays. I was, and remain, incredibly grateful to everyone who played a part in my care: cleaners, surgeons, nurses, doctors, porters, ambulance staff, healthcare assistants, OTs, physios, radiographers, etc. I didn't treat any of them like shit, why would I? Along with a lot of my neighbours, I will be out applauding this evening. It's not about making me feel smug, or about who will hear me. It's a gesture, and I hope most NHS workers will not be offended by it.

I voted Tory and wasn't going to clap anyway so I guess that's all good then?

@violetdaffodil. I'm frontline NHS , I agree. It's cringeworthy. I hope no one does it in my close.
They'll be people clapping today who'll be complaining about the NHS this time next year.
People will forget this very quickly.

My Husband is a doctorNAND feels exactly the same about the clapping being a stupid idea. He would agree that it is cringe and hypocritical and utterly pointless. He and the staff he works with are getting daily abuse and he would much rather go to work and not be treated like shit than have a few idiots giving a round of applause he won’t even hear anyway as there are no houses near us. I showed him that video of the supermarket staff clapping and he thought it was stupid and embarrassing. He would’ve been mortified if that happened to him!

@rocketman. Exactly

Me and DH are both NHS nurses and we also are cringing - hate stuff like this. Instead of "hero" platitudes, how about recognition as a serious profession that is not just a vocational calling and wiping of fevered brows. And more respect for other allied health professionals too. The lack of nursing leadership and prominence during this crisis has been shocking - I've yet to see a nurse leader on any of the major news bulletins (although granted I haven't watched them all but the NMC and RCN seem invisible).

Doggybiccys that's a really interesting point

People in my area are using it as an excuse to have a street disco

Agree Op
I always said it would take something earth shattering to occur for some British people to appreciate our NHS.
The criticism of junior doctors and nurses has been the staple diet of right wing rags for years.
Also , those who have complained about foreign nurses and care workers need to visit some hospitals in London to see why we need immigrants. These people are risking their lives for us

We should try and find time to remember Diana as well - she seems to have been forgotten.

On one hand it is a bit cringey, especially when it's just copied from what's happened in other countries, but on the other hand nice to show support. I'd rather we all bunged in a quid and bought them some supplies/tea/coffee/masks or whatever. That would make a difference.

We are not doing it. We love the NHS but there is no point in our street which only has 6 houses and no other streets around it. And we think it's a bit tacky. We would do it if we were in a city with lots of others though.

We should try and find time to remember Diana as well - she seems to have been forgotten

Not an Express reader, then?