Clap for Our Carers

{{Infobox recurring event

| name =

| logo = Clap_for_our_Carers_Logo.jpg

| logo_alt = Cartoon hands clapping with the text #clapforourcarers

| logo_caption = Clap for Our Carers logo

| image = Boris Johnson 'Clap for our Carers' 14 05 (49895563142).jpg

| alt =

| caption = Prime Minister Boris Johnson with his partner Carrie Symonds taking part in 'Clap for our Carers' on the steps of 10 Downing Street

| genre = Social movement

| frequency = 2020: Weekly (20:00 Thursdays)

| coordinates =

| country = United Kingdom

| first = 26 March 2020

| founder_name = Annemarie Plas

| last = 28 May 2020

| next =

| activity = {{plainlist|

Clapping.

}}

{{Listen

| filename = Clapping for Carers in Oxford, April 2020.ogg

| title = Clapping for the NHS in Oxford

| embed = yes

| plain = yes

}}

| website = {{url|https://clapforourcarers.co.uk/}}

}}

Clap for Our Carers, also known as Clap for Carers, Clap for the NHS, Clap for Key Workers or Clap for Heroes, was a social movement created as a gesture of appreciation for the workers of the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) and other key workers during the global pandemic of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which spread to the United Kingdom in January 2020.

The idea originated in Europe{{Cite web|title=Coronavirus: Health workers clapped across the world for battling on the COVID-19 frontline|url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/03/24/coronavirus-health-workers-clapped-across-the-world-for-battling-on-the-covid-19-frontline|website=Clap For Our Carers|date=24 March 2020|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-06-17}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-51895386|title=Coronavirus: Spain and Italy applaud health workers|website=BBC News|date=2020-03-15|accessdate=2020-12-03}} and was adopted in the UK by Annemarie Plas, a Dutch woman living in London, who promoted a campaign which took place every Thursday at 20:00 between 26 March and 28 May 2020. Many celebrities, influencers, politicians, and public figures supported the campaign.{{cn|date=December 2021}}

Background and origins

In December 2019, health authorities in Wuhan, China, identified an unusual cluster of pneumonia cases. Subsequent investigations revealed this illness was caused by a new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.{{Cite web|title=COVID-19 Timeline|url=https://bfpg.co.uk/2020/03/covid-19-timeline/|last=Holmes|first=Flora|date=2020-03-27|website=British Foreign Policy Group|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329004153/https://bfpg.co.uk/2020/03/covid-19-timeline/ |archive-date=29 March 2020 |access-date=8 April 2020}} On 11 March 2020, the outbreak was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) with 118,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 114 countries.{{cite web|title=WHO declares coronavirus pandemic |work= The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/11/who-declares-coronavirus-pandemic|date=2020-03-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311184930/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/11/who-declares-coronavirus-pandemic|access-date=2020-05-31|archive-date=11 March 2020}} The virus was confirmed to have spread to the United Kingdom on 31 January 2020{{Cite news|date=2020-01-31|title=Two coronavirus cases confirmed in UK|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/health-51325192|access-date=2020-05-31}} and by 20 March, the number of cases there had surpassed 3,200.{{Cite web|title=Coronavirus Update (Live)|url=https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/|date=2020-03-20|website=Worldometers.info|url-status=unfit|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320090312/https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/|archive-date=2020-03-20|access-date=2020-12-03}} As the number of cases grew, the public health response to the virus has also evolved.{{Cite journal|last=Lake|first=Mary A|date=March 2020|title=What we know so far: COVID-19 current clinical knowledge and research|journal=Clinical Medicine|volume=20|issue=2|pages=124–127|doi=10.7861/clinmed.2019-coron|issn=1470-2118|pmc=7081812|pmid=32139372}} From 20 March, most schools, colleges and nurseries were closed. On 23 March, stricter social distancing measures were implemented to curb the spread of the virus.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-social-distancing-in-education-and-childcare-settings/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-social-distancing-in-education-and-childcare-settings|title=Coronavirus (COVID-19): implementing social distancing in education and childcare settings|last=|first=|date=|website=GOV.UK|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331034333/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-social-distancing-in-education-and-childcare-settings/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-social-distancing-in-education-and-childcare-settings |archive-date=31 March 2020 |access-date=7 April 2020}}

During the peak phase of the pandemic, around March to May/June 2020, the UK government's message was that the entire population, with few exceptions, should stay at home to protect themselves and others from infection, and "protect the NHS" (National Health Service), which was at risk of being overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases. UK media widely reported on the extreme difficulties and risks to their own lives, faced by NHS staff in particular, who initially lacked the necessary large scale supplies of personal protective equipment and life support equipment needed.{{cn|date=July 2021}}

As a result, a sense of widespread appreciation developed towards NHS workers, and also towards other key workers, who supported the population during this time. A weekly show of appreciation developed during which large parts of the UK population showed their appreciation, from the safety of their homes.{{cn|date=July 2021}}

Although similar activities had already been happening in India, Italy, France, Spain and The Netherlands in the weeks prior{{cite news|last=Penna|first=Dominic|date=2 April 2020|title=Clap For Our Carers: what time is the NHS applause tonight?|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/clap-carers-time-nhs-applause-tonight/|accessdate=7 April 2020}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-51895386/coronavirus-spain-and-italy-applaud-health-workers |title=Coronavirus: Spain and Italy applaud health workers |date=15 March 2020 |work=BBC News |access-date=2020-03-02 }} the idea for Clap for Our Carers is credited to Annemarie Plas, a Dutch immigrant living in London who had appropriated a similar event that she had seen from the Netherlands.{{Cite web|title=Clap for our Carers every Thursday at 8pm #clapforourcarers|url=https://clapforourcarers.co.uk/|access-date=2020-06-08|website=Clap For Our Carers|language=en-GB}}

Description

File:The Shard against a pink sunset (49926044797).jpg illuminated in blue to appreciate the healthcare workers]]

The event is typically a round of applause outside a participating person's home or from one of their windows; however, people have also taken part by banging pots and pans, playing music and setting off fireworks. Millions are reported to have taken part.{{Cite news |last=Bowman |first=Verity |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/03/26/thank-nhs-tonights-clap-carers/ |title=Clap For Our Carers: How thousands of Britons thanked the NHS with a national round of applause |date=26 March 2020 |work=The Telegraph|access-date=2020-03-26 |issn=0307-1235}} In the first campaign, at 20:00 on 26 March 2020, people across the UK clapped, cheered, and rang bells to thank NHS workers for their role during the pandemic. Princes George and Louis, and Princess Charlotte also supported the event from their residence at Anmer Hall.{{cite news| url= https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/clap-for-our-carers-prince-george-charlotte-louis-royal-family-nhs-coronavirus-a9429411.html| title= Clap for our carers: Harry and Meghan join Prince George, Charlotte and Louis in applause for NHS workers| work=The Independent| date=27 March 2020| accessdate=7 April 2020}}

On 2 April, appreciation extended to all key workers, including healthcare workers, emergency services, armed services, delivery drivers, people who work in shops, teachers, waste collectors, manufacturers, postal workers, cleaners, vets and engineers.{{Cite web|url=https://clapforourcarers.co.uk/|title=Clap for Our Carers every Thursday at 8pm #clapforourcarers|last=|first=|date=|website=Clap for Our Carers|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323145224/https://clapforourcarers.co.uk/ |archive-date=23 March 2020 |access-date=7 April 2020}} That day, event founder Annemarie Plas wrote in an Instagram post, "tonight we will show our appreciation again! For ALL that go out to work so that we can stay in!".{{Cite web |last=Barr |first=Sabrina |date=5 April 2020 |title=How to join in with tonight's national 'Clap For Our Carers' event for NHS and key workers |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/coronavirus-nhs-workers-applause-clap-for-our-carers-when-time-covid-19-a9426906.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327143852/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/coronavirus-nhs-workers-applause-clap-for-our-carers-when-time-covid-19-a9426906.html |archive-date=27 March 2020 |access-date=8 April 2020 |website=The Independent}}

The campaign was subsequently repeated at 20:00 every Thursday until 28 May, as lockdown restrictions began to be eased throughout the UK. The campaign received coverage from media such as Sky, ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-52130552 |title=Coronavirus: Applause for key workers rings out across the UK |date=2 April 2020 |work=BBC News |access-date=2020-03-02}} Notable people who participated in the event include Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, Jeremy Corbyn, Sir Paul McCartney, Kylie Minogue, David Beckham, Daniel Craig, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Naomie Harris and Sir Elton John.{{Cite news|last=Mohdin|first=Aamna|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/02/pots-pans-passion-britons-clap-their-support-for-nhs-workers-again|title=Pots, pans, passion: Britons clap their support for NHS workers again|date=2 April 2020|work=The Guardian|access-date=8 April 2020|issn=0261-3077}} The Queen referred to the Clap for Our Carers campaign as an “expression of our national spirit”.[https://clapforourcarers.co.uk/acknowledgements Acknowledgements, Clap for our Carers]. Retrieved 5 June 2020 Landmarks such as The Shard, Tower Bridge, the London Eye, Blackpool Tower, the Tyne Bridge, the Radio City Tower,{{Cite web |last=Ross |first=Alex |date=7 May 2020 |title=Join us by taking a minute to applaud our NHS staff and key workers in #ClapForOurCarers |url=https://planetradio.co.uk/city/uk/news/nhs-clap-for-our-carers/ |website=Radio City}} The Kelpies,{{Cite news|last=Ruck|first=Joanna|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2020/mar/26/clap-for-carers-applauding-the-nhs-during-coronavirus-in-pictures|title=Clap for carers: applauding the NHS – in pictures|date=26 March 2020|work=The Guardian|access-date=8 April 2020|issn=0261-3077}} MediaCityUK,{{cite news |last=Speare-Cole |first=Rebecca |date=3 April 2020 |title=Clap for Our Carers returns tonight after calls for Brits to repeat mass applause for NHS coronavirus heroes |work=Evening Standard |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/clap-for-our-carers-nhs-mass-applause-coronavirus-a4404706.html |accessdate=7 April 2020}} and Windsor Castle were illuminated in blue during the event.{{cite news| url= https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/royalssociety/queen-elizabeth-clap-for-our-carers-selfisolation-windsor-castle-a4406026.html| title= Queen Elizabeth makes grand Clap For Our Carers gesture from self-isolation in Windsor Castle| last=Hills| first=Megan| work=Evening Standard| date=4 April 2020| accessdate=7 April 2020}}

A Clap for the NHS was organised for the afternoon of 5 July 2020, the 72nd anniversary of its establishment.{{Cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/news/2020-07-05/leaders-pay-tribute-to-nhs-ahead-of-nationwide-clap-to-mark-72nd-anniversary|title=Nationwide clap and Spitfire flypast mark 72nd anniversary of NHS|website=ITV News|date=5 July 2020}} An annual Clap for Our Carers Day was initially planned for the last Thursday of March each year.{{Cite web|title=Clap for our Carers every Thursday at 8pm #clapforourcarers|url=https://clapforourcarers.co.uk/|website=Clap For Our Carers|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-05-29}}

Response

File:NW-ThankYouCollage.jpg, 2020 (click to show individual faces)]]

Clap for Our Carers inspired Nathan Wyburn to produce a digital collage made up of more than 200 images of NHS workers, to pay tribute to their work.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CniBrxRI8PY BBC Wales News "NHS Thank You" Art by Nathan Wyburn]. BBC News. You Tube. 30 March 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2020-03-30/artist-nathan-wyburn-thanks-nhs-workers-with-photo-collage-tribute/ |title=Artist Nathan Wyburn thanks NHS workers with photo collage tribute |date=30 March 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.penarthtimes.co.uk/news/18352935.artist-pays-special-tribute-front-line-nhs-workers/|title=Artist pays special tribute to front-line NHS workers|last=Draper|first=Joseph|date=2 April 2020|website=Penarth Times|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404091557/https://www.penarthtimes.co.uk/news/18352935.artist-pays-special-tribute-front-line-nhs-workers/ |archive-date=4 April 2020 |access-date=7 April 2020}}

The practice of applauding has been criticised by some political commentators and medical workers as an empty gesture amid budget cuts and equipment shortages for the NHS.{{cite news |date=19 April 2020 |title=NHS workers don't want applause, they want PPE |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/19/nhs-workers-dont-want-applause-they-want-ppe |work=The Guardian |accessdate=15 May 2020}}{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Owen |date=23 April 2020 |title=While the UK's key workers lack PPE, ministers clapping for them is an insult |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/apr/23/uk-key-workers-ppe-ministers-clapping-protect-nhs |work=The Guardian |accessdate=15 May 2020}}

In January 2021, Annemarie Plas and her family received online abuse for bringing back the movement under the name "Clap For Our Heroes".{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55579680|title=Muted response as Clap for Heroes returns|work=BBC News|date=7 January 2021|accessdate=7 January 2021}} Plas later released a statement announcing she was distancing herself from the event, while stating that she had no intentions of politicising it. The comeback attempt was not well received by the public and very little turned out, thus causing its permanent ceasing.{{cn|date=July 2021}}