Coronavirus update - NO MORE RESTRICTIONS

[jon1959]

I missed the first two Thursday night NHS celebrations (I wasn't aware of it for the first and nodded off in front of the telly for the second!) and have joined in with them all since then, but I can understand where this doctor is coming from;-

https://www.theguardian.com/society/...eople-clapping

I have joined in the Thursday clapping from the start, and last night it was at the same level as 6 weeks ago. I understand the case made by some that it is a sentimental distraction from the real issues in the NHS, and sometimes carried out by people who voted for parties that undermined the health and care services. But I feel that the genuine shared community support for those people and services that have led the fight against Covid 19 is valuable - and I think the clapping has held the government's feet to the fire on all the issues raised in the opinion piece, more than deflected attention.

I'm not sure how or when the clapping will stop. It will fizzle out at some point. But I have a (maybe naive) hope that the country will be a different place when the pandemic has passed - clearly worse economically and with tens of thousands of dead, but also with a clearer focus on mutual support and what is important in life. In our area there are community action groups formed that will not go away when Covid goes, and friendships formed that wouldn't have happened in the 'old normal'.

[Rjk]

I have joined in the Thursday clapping from the start, and last night it was at the same level as 6 weeks ago. I understand the case made by some that it is a sentimental distraction from the real issues in the NHS, and sometimes carried out by people who voted for parties that undermined the health and care services. But I feel that the genuine shared community support for those people and services that have led the fight against Covid 19 is valuable - and I think the clapping has held the government's feet to the fire on all the issues raised in the opinion piece, more than deflected attention.

I'm not sure how or when the clapping will stop. It will fizzle out at some point. But I have a (maybe naive) hope that the country will be a different place when the pandemic has passed - clearly worse economically and with tens of thousands of dead, but also with a clearer focus on mutual support and what is important in life. In our area there are community action groups formed that will not go away when Covid goes, and friendships formed that wouldn't have happened in the 'old normal'.

Anyone who know me would know I'm a big proponent of the NHS. I've worked with the NHS, raised money for it messaged MPs to try to encourage support of it and try to minimize the influence of companies seeking to bleed it .
I have many friends who work for the NHS across various levels.

I haven't attended the weekly saucepan banging once.

I don't see anything wrong with people wanting to express their support in that way, but it isn't for me.

It just feels like a distraction from the real issues to me - I know that isn't how other people see it and I have no doubt it started with good intentions.

I had similarly unpopular views about the help for heroes charity which was ubiquitous a few years ago.