Last evening at 8pm prompt, Shirley and I were in front of our house. I had a saucepan and a wooden spoon. We were out there to applaud key workers during this lockdown - especially National Health Service workers on the front line. Not just doctors and nurses but porters, technicians, cleaners, nursing auxiliaries, maintenance teams and admin staff too.
Nearly all of our neighbours were out in the street with us, clapping and showing solidarity. It was the same last week and the previous Thursday too. The whole country is doing it - showing our gratitude to The National Health Service and to other key workers like refuse collectors and supermarket staff. All of our neighbours know that Shirley is a nurse nearing retirement after 44 years so on our street she kind of represents all other nurses in this besieged kingdom.
After I had made what I thought was my final beat with the spoon, I went through our house to the back garden where I had been working much of the day. And as I stood there, I realised that the evening air was still filled with the sounds of applause and drums and saucepans being beaten with wooden spoons. The sound was coming up from the valley and over Dobbin Hill - layers of applause and some cheering voices and a trumpet too. It was very moving. We are all together in the face of a cruel, indiscriminate enemy.
Some of us won't make it. 7,798 dead in Britain now or 118 in a million. It is The National Lottery in reverse. Until it is over, 8pm every Thursday is spoken for.
So very beautiful. I would expect nothing less from you Brits. Tell Shirley that a woman from Florida is applauding for her too.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you and Senor Moon could start the habit in Lloyd too. 8pm Thursday.
DeleteWe have to get on with the program of making noise for the hard working front line people.
ReplyDeleteIt is just a small gesture. What more can we do? To tell you the truth, I would do it every night!
DeleteI just love what you are all doing! We have a lot of new heroes these days.
ReplyDeleteWhy not start it up in your neighbourhood too Bonnie? After all, the whole world should be clapping these heroes. 8pm Thursday.
DeleteMany cities across the U.S. are doing similar things on a nightly basis in some areas. It is a beautiful and touching thing.
DeleteWe maybe apart from each other physically but we care together in this act of thanks.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we can feel alone but the clapping makes us one - united in gratitude and hope.
DeleteIn O.K.'s village, they play Ode to Joy and a handful of other well known German songs every Sunday at 6:00 pm. Everyone who plays an instrument is encouraged to play from their windows, balconies, gardens etc.; those wo don't play instruments can sing along.
ReplyDeleteI suppose we'll be timing our activities on Sunday in a way that we can participate (O.K. playing the trumpet); I predict I will start singing and then have to stop because the tears start flowing.
Open your window and let the sweet song of the caged Meike bird mingle with the evening. OK's village sounds like a special place.
DeleteI think it is marvellous the way people draw together and prove their solidarity, so many times I have been in tears as I watch the bravery of those on the front line of this terrible virus.
ReplyDeleteI was in tears in my back garden - I don't mind telling you Thelma. It sent a shiver up my spine.
DeleteYet in other parts of the UK the police have had to break up hundreds of house parties and other gatherings. People who don't give a fig about nurses, patients or anyone else but themselves. Determined to exercise their "rights" to meet their friends and family, and to spread the virus.
ReplyDeleteThere have always been idiots but this time they could kill us.
I think the lockdown idiots represent a tiny minority Jean. I really feel for families trapped in high rise buildings and flats. Nightmarish.
DeleteSadly, a tiny minority can spread the virus to hundreds of other people. It appears that social gatherings are the most likely way to catch the disease then take it and give it to other people, not shopping or travelling on the bus.
DeleteYou are of course right to suggest that 100% compliance would be best.
DeleteLast night in town we also had a piper playing the bagpipes in salute. We were not there obviously but there was a short video clip on social media that we could watch.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you will hear the clapping if you step outside your door next Thursday at 8pm. Even if no one else hears you, please join in.
DeleteIt even echoed around our valley
ReplyDeleteI hope they heard it in New York City.
DeleteThe hospital workers are the infantry fighting to save lives in a war they must win. Great post YP.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly feels like wartime Dave,
DeleteI saw a video of this being done in Vancouver a week or two ago. Brought me to tears.
ReplyDeleteI was reading an article today about the use of Viagra to treat the pulmonary hypertension present in COVID-19 patients. Very interesting. Wouldn't that be something if Viagra saved the world:)
If not on duty you could also applaud Lily. Get your neighbours clapping too. Thursday 8pm.
DeleteOh, that's lovely. Cities here are doing something similar, although I live in a rural area so I've only seen the videos. I imagine it must be very moving to experience it in person.
ReplyDeleteYou could do it yourself Io(e). 8pm next Thursday. Get the whole world clapping.
DeleteWe applauded too, for the first time. (I'd have done it earlier except I wasn't paying attention to the time!) How are Frances and Stu and Ian? Well and coping, I hope!
ReplyDeleteThey seem happy enough. For Ian there is little change. Another book is in the offing and they are writing up the recipes. Stewart lost his job just before Christmas. He has been upskilling for a career change and this is the very time he would have been hoping to secure a new position. Frances keeps working from home but recruitment is not top of the business agenda right now. Thanks for asking Steve.
DeleteA little discussion among some of us recently that we only know the day of the week by trash pickup. I think applauding the NHS and all others who must be out in this pandemic is a wonderful way to remember a day.Something like that would be meaningful over here, if only all of us could agree to stay in.
ReplyDeleteDon't know why, but physiotherapists are never mentioned when people talk about workers on the front line in this health crisis. The general public obviously don't know the key role they have in helping patients in Intensive Care with heart and lung issues. They are the ones trying to get the mucus moving from those blocked lungs, who work hard to get patients to cough (propelling covid 19 virus germs all over them in the process) to clear those tubes. Yet we all thank nurses, doctors, teachers .... and never mention the physios !!!
ReplyDeletePeople think physios only help with sore backs, sprained ankles and pulled muscles and don't realize that it is nothing for an on-call physio to be called into a hospital in the middle of the night because a doctor in ICU is worried about a patients lung function/ oxygen levels and only a physio has the expertise to help.
I guess I have to admit that I was one who didn't know about the crucial job physios do until my daughter became one of those who have chosen to specialise in this branch of the job. She's now one of those front line workers who get all togged up in their protective clothing...and hope it works !!
You are right, Helsie, when I had part of a lung removed when I was 16 I was visited (in hospital) by the physio at least twice a day to clear my lungs.
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