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THE BIG CLAP!

(152 Posts)
phoenix Thu 26-Mar-20 19:46:08

The shouty capitals are intended, just a reminder that tonight, at 8pm, as many people as possible through the UK are asked to stand in their gardens, out side their front doors, on their balcony etc and make a noise to show support for the NHS workers.

I might feel a bit silly in our little cul de sac, but I'll be out there!

Whitewavemark2 Fri 27-Mar-20 10:14:24

All the front line services should be kindly thought of.

My hairdresser’s son is in the Met and has been put forward for an award after preventing a woman from murdering one man and trying to murder a second man. He did so in spite of the fact that she was knifing everyone within distance and trying to spit in the policeman’s face.

Kandinsky Fri 27-Mar-20 10:30:10

I didn’t because I’m quite self conscious and would have felt silly, plus I didn’t think anyone down my road would do it.
But I heard quite a few neighbours clapping and now feel guilty and feel my neighbours will judge me.....as if I haven’t got enough to worry about.,

Grannyflower Fri 27-Mar-20 10:33:38

Once a week, open your front door, clap your hands, close your front door. How hard can it be to show your love, thoughts and appreciation for our wonderful NHS and their families who support them when they return home. I wish there was more we could do, maybe in time we can, but for now let’s keep clapping and carry on. Well done clappers xx

Whitewavemark2 Fri 27-Mar-20 10:36:47

The two nurses next door didn’t come out and clap??too tired I think. But I do not sit on judgement on anyone who didn’t, does it matter in the scheme of things?

I shall encourage them to stand on the door step next week if they aren’t working and we can clap them. I think they’d be too embarrassed though

fourormore Fri 27-Mar-20 10:52:09

I don't know where DH and I have been but we didn't know it was happening until we heard a commotion outside!
Can someone tell us - is it going to be 8pm every Thursday as we will certainly join in?
Please - those who think it is silly or childish - just stay indoors and let those who want to show their appreciation show it. We're not doing any harm and if we can show appreciation in any way it has to be shown.
Thank you to all our NHS and carers everywhere!

dublingran Fri 27-Mar-20 11:25:22

It was the same here in Ireland for our HSE (Health Service Executive) workers - & indeed for all the front- line workers who are keeping our society going. It was a very moving moment.

Craftycat Fri 27-Mar-20 11:32:10

We even had a VuuVuuZela!! We are a very sociable cul de sac anyway & have all ages from new babies to some in their 90s & we were all out in force.
It was a bit nippy though so quite glad to get back indoors!

Elegran Fri 27-Mar-20 11:35:25

We had one of them! And a saxophone too (not both at once)

3nanny6 Fri 27-Mar-20 11:35:53

Phoenix: I am also in a cul-de-sac although can see the other homes very clearly that belong to our road. I knew I would feel silly but went out at 7.55 pm looking who was out. Precisely
nobody!!!!! At the 8pm my rent a mouth gob almighty went into action cheering for the N.H.S and clapping. I think this brought out 2 neighbours who work in nearby hospital and I heard a faint shout from a nearby window and someone banging a saucepan. With my shouting over I was thanked by the 2 neighbours that work in the hospital and I went inside again.

One thing is this supposed to be weekly? not sure if I will do weekly as nobody much bothered last night.

Foxyferret Fri 27-Mar-20 11:36:11

Yes, our whole Avenue was out for a good 3-4 minutes, lots of clapping, cheering and whistling. Thank you NHS, doing a great job in terrible circumstances.

Nvella Fri 27-Mar-20 12:07:21

Lots of people in our street clapping and cheering - we are up the road from a big London teaching hospital and could see people at the windows in the hospital and a few ambulances went past which made it even more moving.

Calender37 Fri 27-Mar-20 12:10:35

Why not do this every Thursday evening at 8pm - a tribute to everyone, whatever their role at this time, and as a celebration that we are still lucky enough to be alive.
That said, let us all spare a thought for those who have lost family members, friends and colleagues to this ‘unseen enemy’. Deaths are ‘statistics’ but every loss is heartbreaking for someone. ??

hulahoop Fri 27-Mar-20 12:21:01

People came out where I live I clapped for nhs and all others postmen, dustbin men all getting on withere jobs ??

Wheniwasyourage Fri 27-Mar-20 12:23:25

Yes, I agree that it would be a good thing to do every Thursday. We are kept so far apart as a society at the moment that it would be nice to feel that most of us doing the same thing at the same time once a week and also doing it to show our support for those who are supporting us.

We did it and didn't expect to hear anyone else as the houses here are quite far apart, but we did hear some others. I found it very cheering and also very moving.

Nobody who finds the idea distasteful has to join in, and we all have our own reasons for what we do or don't do.

Houndi Fri 27-Mar-20 12:40:00

It wasxso moving everyone in our street did it .It was very emotional especially as my husband works for the NHS

Roweenaa Fri 27-Mar-20 12:42:30

Please can we do THE CLAP again on 26th April? It would be even better supported and more recognised. Maybe it will be even more poignant as time goes on and their case load increases? Anyone agree?

Callistemon Fri 27-Mar-20 12:42:41

I thought it was a rather silly, childish idea

Oh dear
I think that the NHS staff putting their lives on the line for all of us appreciated it though.

As for virtue signalling
words fail me

TwiceAsNice Fri 27-Mar-20 12:43:55

Lots of clapping cheering and shouting messages here and we could hear the same from adjoining streets. It made me fill right up and I had a few tears. I’ve felt a bit fragile the last few days and it finished me off for a bit. How can you say it is silly, these medical staff are putting their own lives on the line, they are absolutely amazing! Thank you a million NHS!

annodomini Fri 27-Mar-20 13:00:05

I'm at the end of a terrace of 19th century houses. Not everyone came out to clap but I was glad I did. Even with fewer than I'd expected, there was a feeling of solidarity and neighbourliness that was heart-warming and I feel sure that if it can be repeated weekly there will be more and more neighbours joining in.
Yes - Let's do it again.

4allweknow Fri 27-Mar-20 13:37:07

Nope, didn't take part. I feel it has become commonplace and is losing its worth. Also I am supporting in other ways eg donation to hospital staff social fund, delivered a box of fruit and some chocolate hopefully to help give a bit of energy to those working long hours. Lots are doing their own thing without clapping.

Karlaeliz Fri 27-Mar-20 13:40:51

I entirely agree with you Grandma70s. The true way to show appreciation to the NHS as a whole and all the workers in it is to comply with the regulations set out by the Government, look after ourselves and others and thereby allow the NHS to care for those who really need care. The NHS workers will find that much more helpful.

Callistemon Fri 27-Mar-20 13:46:29

I doubt that those who were outside showing their appreciation are the same people as those flouting the rules.

How do you know that many of those out showing their appreciation are in fact contributing in other ways?
The two things are not mutually exclusive.
confused

I doubt the rule flouters would bother to show their thanks in any way whatsoever, even if they did become ill. Such people are selfish and probably demanding of 'their rights'.

Callistemon Fri 27-Mar-20 13:47:32

How do you know they are not contributing in other ways?

Ginny42 Fri 27-Mar-20 13:51:52

It was as I expected here and just those who are normally friendly came out. Only 4 out of 14 properties.

Came inside and went into the kitchen to hear a dripping tap. OMG I've got a leak! Checked the taps, under the sink, where could the water be coming from? Went to the kitchen door and found that my 'dripping water' was a in fact a couple in a new development behind us clapping all on their own! We did laugh.

I hope none of us need the emergency care staff, but isn't it reassuring to know that they are there should we need them? I'm too far away from the Manchester hospitals to respond to their request for items for nursing staff who have to sleep on the premises, so I've just made a donation to the Manchester Foundation Trust so they can purchase things they need.

Minshy Fri 27-Mar-20 13:56:24

Grandma70s
Silly and childish?
I’m a nurse and I felt appreciated.