Your country LOVES you...
Millions ‘clap for our carers’ in a moving tribute to amazing NHS staff
AS drained but determined NHS staff continued their fight against coronavirus last night, a grateful nation stood as one to show its appreciation.
Residents up and down the land came to their windows and doors at 8pm to applaud those grafting selflessly on the front line – while famous landmarks and buildings lit up blue to pay tribute.
The massive thunderclap of support came as one NHS boss warned of a “continuous tsunami” of demand over the worsening Covid-19 outbreak.
And the number of deaths rose by 115 yesterday, bringing the total to 578 - with 11,658 known cases.
Householders holed up as the lockdown continues answered the “clapforourcarers” call.
And the Queen paid tribute to those battling the outbreak.
She said: “We are enormously thankful for the expertise and commitment of our scientists, medical practitioners and emergency and public services.” In the capital, which has the highest death toll, The London Eye turned NHS blue to stand tall “for the incredible people of this city”.
Wembley Stadium, the Royal Albert Hall, the Alexandra Palace mast in London, Lincoln Cathedral and the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, all went blue.
P&O Cruises ship MV Britannia was lit up with a giant message in support in Southampton.
From Beefeaters at the Tower of London, to celebs such as David and Victoria Beckham, Zoe Ball, and Liam Gallagher, millions joined forces to echo their thanks.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “I applaud the NHS, I love the NHS. Well done everybody who works in the NHS and our care services. You’re doing an amazing job. The coronavirus crisis is showing again how much we rely on you and on each other. Thanks a lot and well done.”
Liam Gallagher wrote: “NHS biblical. Big love to all the beautiful people who are saving lives.”
Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby said: “The NHS expresses everything that is best in what has made this country what it is. Thank you, NHS.”
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan added: “I want to thank every single person that works in the NHS in London and around our country. You truly are the best.
“Your hard work, dedication and courage is saving lives every single day and we need you now more than ever before.”
Around 5,000 bunches of flowers from Flowervision Bristol, which has shut due to the crisis, were presented to doctors and nurses at Southmead hospital in the city in appreciation.
Chief Nursing Officer for England, Ruth May, hailed those who applauded, after the idea was suggested by yoga teacher Annemarie Plas, 36, from Brixton.
She said: “Hardworking staff are facing an unprecedented challenge and they are pulling out all the stops for patients.
“It is absolutely right they have
been applauded for their dedication across the country.
“The support we have received from the public has been truly overwhelming, and I know it means a lot to my colleagues.”
Asked whether Boris Johnson would take part in the clapping, the PM’s spokesman said: “Our admiration for the fantastic work that the NHS staff all around the country are doing is without limit.”
NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson admitted the service is “struggling with two things”. He said: “The first is the explosion of demand they are seeing in seriously ill patients.
“They talk about wave after wave after wave, a ‘continuous tsunami’. We are now seeing 30%, 40%, and in some places 50%, sickness rates as staff catch the virus or have to self-isolate. That’s an unprecedented absence rate. We have got a wicked combination… trusts trying to deal with a lot more demand than they have ever had before with a lot fewer staff.”
The NHS could soon have an army of volunteers equal to its total workforce after a huge response to its recruitment drive.
Last night, 661,000 had answered the call to help the 1.4 million vulnerable people who are isolating for three months.
It means the service already has almost one volunteer for every two people in the most at risk group. NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said: “At this rate we will have as many volunteers for the NHS as there are nurses, doctors, therapists… the whole army of care.”
NHS biblical. Big love to the beautiful people saving lives
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