Return of The Clap?

My NHS family member wrote please don’t clap for me, a pay rise would mean more

As a nurse in the NHS I don’t want to be clapped again - what would be really good is for all the idiots out there to start waking up and seeing reality. Perhaps a tour of an ITU would be useful!!!

Well said Caro57

I clapped the first time and in fact it was the only time I used to see most of my neighbours so it became a community meet up at a distance and I must admit that hearing the claps hooters, bells etc from all around the village a bit like an audio Mexican wave was amazing.
Like others I agree that all of those that has worked through the last months in whatever capacity should get pay rises , from those in the caring professions, teaching staff and retail staff, plus binmen, post people etc.
If someone could also come up with a way to give them all either a free holiday or at least one discounted heavily, would be of more benefit to them all than people clapping.

I live next to the local hospital, and though I was happy to clap, things went a bit OTT last time. I have an allotment, again next to the hospital, and some idiot decided to release a crate of "doves" every Thursday from the hospital grounds. They were actually white homing pigeons, and in the way back to their loft they called in to strip mine and other allotments of any greens. I had to chase them off till 9pm the first night and net everything. I don't mind clapping, it helps people feel connected, but no silly instruments and doves please ?

I didn't last time and won't this time either.
My friend is a nurse.
She says she doesn't need clapping.
She needs PPE, her allocated breaks, her holidays, a decent pay rise. She needs not to have to pay for parking at the hospital. She needs not to have to use food banks most months.
So no, I won't be clapping. It is not fixing the blatantly obviously gaping holes in the NHS or other front line services ?

Having spent the last few days in Coronary care, in a hospital which had run out of beds due to Covid and staff on their knees, a clap is the last thing they need!
What the NHS need, is more staff, more beds, more funding and the public starting to do what they are asked to do.
All those entitled people and Covid deniers, who are doing what they like, ignoring the rules and spreading Covid should spend a few days hospital! It was traumatic!
Until you have experienced it, you have absolutely no idea what pressure the staff are under. I could have wept for them.

They should get pay rises, free parking at work, proper PPE and equipment, access to proper food cooked on site available 24/7 and anything else they need rather than claps and the banging of pots and pans. That should be across the board...don't forget the cleaners, the porters, the paramedics etc.

I clapped every week the first time round, because I wanted to show my support for the NHS, but more than that, - it brought our community together. After clapping we all stood around (socially distanced of course), chatting and laughing for about an hour. It was spring and summer and great to be outdoors.
But I don't think we should try to recreate this. It would serve no real purpose and it's too cold and dark now to want to stand around.
I wish there was some practical way that we could show our support for the wonderful doctors, nurses etc. who are working so hard and deserve all our respect.

Rather than clapping alongside neighbours whilst supposedly keeping our distance, how about sticking to guidance/rules? NHS staff would much rather do that than futile clapping that they are too busy looking after patients to even hear let alone care. What did clapping achieve last time? Zilch. From my observation near me, the ones bossing people into clapping were the worst offenders at bending the guidance to suit themselves.

No, I shall not be clapping on my doorstep.
Having worked in the NHS I believe it is the last thing they need.
People who want to virtue signal should stay in their homes and ease the strain on the nursing staff.

No from me too!

As an ex-nurse, 40 years experience, didn't clap first time. They do not need patronising, just more support and pay.

It was utterly pointless last time and really insulting now. If Boris can find money to hand out to his chums, he should be able to stump up cash for the NHS. Maybe he could start by training staff to replace the ones who packed their bags and left over the Brexit fiasco. Grrhhh.

Caro57 Well said and thank you for all you are doing for us.
The idiots out there need a shocking wake up call to the reality in hospitals. I think all keyworkers should be given the vaccine asap that would be more beneficial than a clap.

I think it is all very pointless and I don't think people will be keen now with the weather so much colder to stand outside! The Christmas Eve Jingle didn't really take off either.

I agree Willow73
At least that seems to be something they've got right in Wales, starting the programme with NHS staff and care workers.

Our street mutual aid group is divided some will and some won’t. Personally I won’t be clapping not least because it serves no real purpose and I would rather campaign for a pay rise for all front line staff in all jobs.

The one night I went out to clap there was no one else out. I could hear distant pan banging from an the area I know suffered from FB pressure. Hope it doesn’t return.

I wouldn't patronise these hard working soles with a clap anytime but have signed petitions to give them a just reward ie. a decent pay rise. The hypocrisy of it all deflecting away from paying them an honest wage when MP's take a substantial pay rise every year.

No clapping for me either.

I can’t stand out with my neighbours who are the most hypocritical people ever.

All clapped for the NHS. Every single week without fail. Then celebrated in the Summer by having a huge party. Absolute idiots. But they’ll be the first out there again clapping their hands around like seals who’ve been awarded a fish for doing something clever!

Does it start tonight? I’ll be hibernating in my living room at the back of the house watching the TV.

I’m sure the NHS workers would prefer a pay rise to people clapping them every week.

Totally agree with the poster. Five of my seven children are NHS professionals. I’m not going to be clapping either. Pointless waste of time. Much better to do something practical to help them. Supplying food is always welcome. My eldest daughter is a sister on a cancer ward. She messaged me the other day to say she was having ‘dinner on the NHS’. She was absolutely thrilled that she wasn’t having to pay for one meal. I remember when she was seven months pregnant working in A & E. She did a 12 hr shift and got one 15 minute break. So, in short, little ways to delight them would be fab.

callistemon glad you agree. The ambulance and police also badly need the vaccine as they have contact first hand with people and when hospitals are full they have to stay with the sick people in ambulances, at traffic accident scenes and in peoples houses. I would rather my injection go to someone who needs to be a help out there than get it myself when I am just at home.

Same here Jaxjacky.
It wasn`t the thread i was hoping for,but it did make me lol.
No clapping of any kind my end,or the other.

I shall do as I did during the last ‘clap for NHS’ - spend the time writing to my MP about whatever government induced fiasco is uppermost in my mind. I shall kick off this week with the absence of a pay rise for the public sector set against the billions shovelled out to government chums for overpriced, inadequate or absent services and products during this pandemic.