NHS tribute planned for tonight ‘should honour bin men and supermarket workers too’
TONIGHT'S 'Clap For Our Carers' tribute should honour bin men and supermarket workers too, a campaigner claims.
Millions took to the streets last Thursday night to applaud our health workers as Britain battles the coronavirus pandemic.
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Key workers such as bin men, supermarket workers and cleaners are also playing a vital role in keeping the country moving during lockdown.
And campaigner Annemarie Plas, who organised the applause last week, called on the nation to recognise the hard work of these other key workers tonight who "keep our world turning" in addition to our NHS heroes on the frontline.
She said: "This time we will add everyone that is helping to keep our world turning. All who are out so we can stay in."
Some of the UK's top landmarks including Tower Bridge, the White Cliffs of Dover and Angel of the North were also turned blue in support of the NHS.
Millions took part in last Thursday’s first clap and Health Secretary Matt Hancock, in isolation with the illness, said: “It was incredibly moving to see the country come together to thank our NHS heroes.
“I’m fully behind any effort to make sure they know just how much we value them.”
Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer for England, added: “I know how much last week’s extraordinary scenes meant to my colleagues.
"So I would like to thank The Sun for backing this campaign.”
The clapping was the brainchild of South London yoga teacher Plas.
She said: “We will do this every Thursday at 8pm to keep supporting those who are under enormous stress day in, day out.”
Britain’s Got Talent’s Amanda Holden is among stars backing the national applause.
She said: “The NHS is amazing. They are saving lives daily. It’s important they feel our appreciation regularly.”
GMB host Piers Morgan said: “Last week was one of the most extraordinary things I’ve ever been involved in.
"It would be great to do it every week at the same time.”
Sarah Moppett, deputy chief nurse at Nottingham University Hospital, said of last week: “You could hear fireworks, amazing cheers and clapping from all around.
“I can’t tell you how many responses I had from colleagues saying how fantastic it was.”
Dr Matthew Boulter, a GP in Penzance, Cornwall, said: “Many of our staff broke down and wept.
"I’m so pleased The Sun is encouraging people to make it a weekly thing. It has an enormous effect on morale.”
Craig Leathard, a nurse at Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, said: “I’ve stood on ambulance bays and shed sad tears over the years, but last week was different.
"I can’t tell you how special, connected and proud it made us feel.”
Events producer Kenny Underwood — responsible for the last two Jubilee celebrations — helped with the idea.
Kenny, from Kent, said: “The number of people who came on board was breathtaking.
"We want to get bigger and better every week until this crisis is over.”
It comes after two NHS workers were revealed among the latest victims of Covid-19.
Consultant Dr Alfa Saadu, 68, refused to retire and continued to treat elderly patients.
He was the fifth frontline UK medical worker to die after catching the bug.
And 57-year-old healthcare assistant Thomas Harvey died on Sunday after he was infected at Goodmayes Hospital, East London.
Friends claim the dad of seven was not given protective equipment and was not tested despite showing symptoms.
Yesterday the Government came under fresh fire over a lack of testing for NHS staff.
Chaos continued as workers desperate to know if they had the virus were turned away from a temporary testing centre at Ikea in Wembley, North West London, for not having the proper paperwork.
MPs and experts urged Boris Johnson to launch a Dunkirk-style mobilisation of Britain’s labs, universities and pharmaceutical companies to build the tests Britain needs.
Just 2,000 frontline NHS staff have been formally swabbed for coronavirus.
Claims by the government that a lack of essential chemicals was preventing more widespread testing were ridiculed by experts.
Meanwhile NHS data suggests that up to 1.7million Brits may have been struggling with the virus in the past fortnight.
Yesterday bankers were blasted by owners of struggling small businesses for not releasing loans to help them.
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Up to one million could go under in the next month.
As complaints piled up, Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “It would be completely unacceptable if banks were unfairly refusing funds.”
Prince Charles posted a video message telling of his “strange time” in self-isolation and urged the elderly and vulnerable to take care.