NHS Heroes in Tears as Boris Johnson Leads Minute’s Silence to Frontline Medics Killed by Coronavirus
United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) heroes were in tears on Tuesday morning as Boris Johnson led the nation in tribute to fallen frontline medics who have died in the fight against coronavirus.
The Prime Minister, who spent three nights in intensive care earlier this month, observed a minute’s silence at 11am - one day after he returned to Number 10 following his COVID-19 battle.
In solidarity
People across the UK paused for a minute in sombre tribute to the sacrifice made by those on the front line, in roles ranging from doctors and nurses to carers, cleaners, porters and bus drivers.
Heartbreaking pictures showed nurses wiping away tears after gathering outside to pay tribute to colleagues who died from the killer bug. One nurse broke down in tears as fellow hero workers took part in the minute’s silence outside Salford Royal Hospital in Manchester.
Others gathered outside hospitals in Bolton, Liverpool, Bolton Glasgow, Derby and London. Mr Johnson said: “This morning I took part in a minute’s silence to remember those workers who have tragically died in the coronavirus pandemic. The nation will not forget you.”
More than 90 NHS and social care workers have died during the pandemic.
Families compensated
Matt Hancock said families of NHS heroes who died on the frontline will get £60,000 (FJ$167,746.43) of cash help so they are not left destitute.
Dame Donna Kinnair, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: “I am heartened to hear how many people took part in the minute’s silence to honour the memory of staff who have tragically died during the pandemic.
“We thought it was important to pay tribute publicly to those who have lost their lives to the virus, and I am proud that so many took the time to do so this morning.”
She issued an urgent call for protection of workers, saying the death toll must not be allowed to rise further.
She added: “An even greater task now remains - to stop more joining the tragic number of those who have died. All key workers, healthcare staff among them, must be afforded the greatest protection.” Andrea Sutcliffe, Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) chief executive and registrar, said: “Our tribute in silence today is as important as the noisy cheering for the
NHS, social care and key workers on a Thursday evening.”
Plans to refine lockdown
Meanwhile, Mr Johnson is reportedly planning to refine lockdown rules in the coming days, amid mounting pressure for the Government to set out the next steps before they must be reviewed on May 7. Speaking outside Downing Street on Monday morning, the PM insisted he would not risk a second peak in the disease by relaxing restrictions too quickly.
The Times reported that schools will remain shut next month, but shops selling non-essential items will be allowed to reopen if customers can be kept two metres apart. People could also be allowed to mix with a wider group of friends or family, according to the paper.
A total of 21,678 patients have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 11am yesterday. However, the true number is likely to be significantly higher when deaths outside hospitals are included.