What do you think when you clap?

[catflapuk]

First time today I became emotional. I was just thinking 'please let everyone be OK'.

I live abroad. Family and DP live in another country. We have already had to cancel visits. I don't know when I will be able to see them again.

That's really nice op, i wish i thought that! Instead i feel excruciatingly awkward and it goes on forever and i dont know what to do with myself!

I feel like a Bit of a Wally but my 8yo loves it

I keep thinking 'this is all very well but I bet people would appreciate a raise more'.

Living by myself. Not seeing or talking to anyone in real life gets to me. My MH was better a month ago. I didn't get emotional before.

I wish it was at another time. It’s so unbelievably loud tonight it woke my toddler.

The clapping is one thing. The horns, pots and pans etc are just a bit much.

I clap alone in my back garden because it makes me so incredibly sad. I think about all my family and hope that they are going to be spared. I can hear people clapping all around. They probably think I don’t join in.

We just stand on the step and today is the first time I felt emotional.

The neighbours all waved to each other and we normally just nod at each other but everyone was smiling and waving at each other. It was nice.

I think thanks to those who keep working and looking after those who need it x

I hope they get the raise. A proper raise. Not just a one off bonus. I'm willing to pay more tax.

I think it brings people together.

I think of my niece, nephews wife and next door neighbours son who are al! Nurses and I wish my clapping could conjure up the PPE they need.

Then I cry. Then I get angry that they we're not deemed important enough to have a pay rise for ten years.

Then I despair, because I fear, once this is under control, people will forget who is really important. NHS workers, people who empty dustbins, people who work in the food chain etc. And they will vote for those who think the economy is the most important thing, not those things that keep us alive

I listen to Stephen Nolan on 5 live and he often speaks to a consultant called Dr Al. I think about him and all the other medics, nurses and other health professionals I know and hope they will be ok. I worked for the NHS for several years and I am glad the wonderful people working in it are being recognised for their bravery and hard work.

I live fairly rurally and tonight was the first time I could hear my neighbours clapping and banging pots. It made me feel very emotional and very connected to my tiny community.

Normally I think about saying 'hi' across the road to our various neighbours and that I hope the medical professionals and Carers in our village, and all over hear this and feel appreciated.

Today I was mostly thinking about getting a good photo of DS banging his stockpot to send to his godparents who are very much in the thick of it as London hospital doctors. I didn't. He got embarrassed and banged it behind his back!

Normally I think of what people are going through but tonight my oldest ds age 7 who has additional needs decided to chant hot dogs! hot dogs! while he was clapping so I was just thinking please shut up!

I work as a nurse in the community and have to wear PPE for home visits and when I clapped I thought about all the hospital staff who have to wear this for their whole shift.
My heart breaks for them, that it's horrible, it's inadequate. That we have been underfunded and understaffed for years, our services getting driven into the ground by a Tory, capitalist party.
Yet, here we are, working, doing all we can because we care, it's who we are.
I really hope this ends soon and the NHS is given the funding and recognition it deserves.