Giving NHS Workers the Clap

I remember it well, most people do, but how many actually understood that what they were doing was shallow and meaningless? The idea was simple, everyone stands outside their door at 8pm every Thursday and applaud the NHS heroes as Britain went into its first lockdown. It was a gesture and nothing more. The idea originated with Annemarie Plas, a Dutch national living in London, who started it to as a ‘clap for carers’ event. It quickly broadened to include other key workers, but NHS staff became, and remained, the focal point for many participants.

I never observed this superficial act. It just seemed divisive and simply a means of getting people to do the least possible while feeling good about it. They call it virtual signalling. Politicians were quick to jump on the bandwagon. Well, why not? Everyone appeared to feel like they were doing something significant when they…