Don't clap for us. You have stabbed us in the back

By 'stupid fuss' I meant dressing up in silly outfits - maybe they meant to make it more of a communal get-togather.
And perhaps the flags etc were for VE Day

I think it’s wrong to “expect” people to clap .....people should clap only if they want to and not be frowned upon if they don’t. I don’t think the majority of young people take the virus seriously, after all, their chances of dying from it are so low. As for VE Day, it couldn’t be celebrated like it should have been for obvious reasons, and that was sad for a generation that won’t be around to celebrate it in the years to come.

I feel the same about out street Furret. There's independent living accommodation for senior citizens opposite and 8.00 pm on Thursday evenings is the only time we see the majority of them.

They wave and clap, are happy to do so and we're happy to be a part of it too.

In our cul de sac a lot of houses put a flag up. One house had red, white and blue baloons tied up outside. A house at the top played very loud wartime music most of the day on a loop. Two houses had picnics in their front gardens, but only with own households. Many residents came outside and stood on doorsteps for minutes of silence, then clapped and went back in again. Everyone seems to be observing social distance here.

Not wanting to make a stupid fuss, but I think Kate Garraway’s husband is Derek......

Stupid fuss?

Just been reading that Kate Garraway was out with her children clapping last night. Her husband Ben has been in a coma for 7 weeks with Covid19. This is more that a 'stupid' fuss. It is our street out last night in solidarity and community knowing that we are in this together.

I've been looking and no-one has come out to clap thank God.
The front or the back way.,
Mostly retired, and all of them are grateful to the NHS for one reason or another but won't make this stupid fuss.

There's an online community group website here where we live.
Someone has suggested dressing up in weird outfits for the 'Clap' tonight. I just hope residents don't respond to the appeal.
How can people be so insensitive?
For the first time I'm going to look out there in our Close at ?8pm to see if anyone has taken any notice.

I stopped clapping last week and won’t be doing it again. I think it should have been a one off really and it’s become a bit silly now.

Yes mcem that’s a move in the right direction.
Big thanks AGAA4 for writing to your MP. And also big thanks to your daughter for all her hard work and dedication during this terrible time.

Thank them by giving a decent pay rise and one-off bonus!
For once BJ seems to have got it right but waiving the NHS charge for health workers from overseas.

I will Maddy. My daughter is a nurse and I feel for what they have to do in the course of their long day's work the pay is inadequate.

Absolutely AGAA4
But write to your MP as well.

Frontline staff are the NHS. They are the ones who are doing battle with the virus every day and their lives are more at risk as they are caring for patients who have coronavirus.

Mostly they want us to follow guidelines and limit the chance of catching the virus. That leads to them not being in as much danger.

I appreciate all others who are keeping the country going. We would be in a mess without them and they too would prefer us not to be bringing the virus to them.

If people want to clap then go ahead. The virus will be with us for the forseeable future maybe years.

Frontline staff isn’t just the NHS it’s supermarket checkout and other staff, delivery drivers, postmen, care workers, teachers, and all the others.

Not dentists though, except those brave few emergency ones.

If that’s what it is to you JaneA I assure you that’s not what it means to me.

It’s a form of virtue signalling you said. Pretty judgemental I’d say.

Instead of writing on here, or clapping, spend a few minutes writing to your MP about the proposed freeze on public sector workers. The NHS workers should not be included in this. I’ve got no problem about freezing the pay of other public sector workers because everyone has to do their bit, and many private sector workers will lose their jobs, or have a pay freeze. But not NHS staff, they have carried us through this, and will continue to do so. They deserve a pay rise. You can do something about it, you can write to your MP.

No one has told you that you can’t clap Furret. There’s no need to take umbrage over something that hasn’t even been said.

Don’t tell us we cannot clap for all those who are fighting on the frontline just because of a small minority of idiots (there will always be some).

This is a symbol of solidarity when we feel helpless. Nurses and doctors and paramedics on our street all come out to clap.

I don’t clap anymore. I’ll show my appreciation by trying to ensure I don’t become a burden to the NHS.
Always amazes my how after the clap people post on fb congratulating their streets for clapping, as though they themselves have done something worth applauding.

My husband worked for many years in the NHS and we have great regard for it. We have always campaigned for the NHS and been vocal in our opposition to the freezing of health workers' pay and the notion that it was fair and necessary.

However, I dislike token gestures that seem to be designed to make those participating feel good about themselves and like they are doing something useful. What really enraged me was seeing the hypocrisy of Conservative ministers and MPs- those who rejoiced when the freeze on health workers' pay was maintained - joining in this clapping. What does standing outside on a Thursday evening - clapping, shouting, whistling, banging pots and pans and setting off fireworks - actually achieve? I agree with those who say people who supported this government and its austerity programme, which had so many negative effects on our NHS and its employees, have in the past been no friends of our struggling health service.

What our health workers need now is real respect for their care, commitment and professionalism, and proper pay and conditions - something they've been asking for for several years.

What really freaks me out is how soon Thursdays come round again; it's as if every Thursday night clapping just happened a few hours ago.

We had clapping for a few weeks in our street then it stopped. Good, it was getting weird and contrived. My mother and grandmother worked hard for the NHS and they would probably say fu*k you, pay me ?.

How long will the 8pm clapping go on for?

Will people still turn out on cold, wet winter nights. I don't think so, but the NHS and all other key workers will still be doing their jobs.

The best way to reward them is to do as much as we can not to catch the virus. Standing clapping when you have been socialising with others and disregarding guidelines is being hypocritical.