The Black Country salutes NHS and Claps For Our Carers
Residents across the Black Country and Staffordshire turned out in force to applaud NHS staff and carers amid the coronavirus pandemic.
They joined people all over the country who showed their appreciation for those on the frontline of the Covid-19 outbreak by clapping and cheering for one minute at 8pm. The event was called Clap For Our Carers.
Among those to make their voices heard were residents living in apartments around Market Square in Wolverhampton.
Andrew Burton, 65, who lives in an apartment, organised for his neighbours to take part.
He told the Express & Star: "We are totally reliant on our health workers. You don't realise how important they are until you need them. They are doing a great job and are fundamental to everybody in the country."
A five-minute countdown was held in the square where Mr Burton had cut out large cardboard hands to be held aloft.
Elsewhere people were heard clapping and cheering, honking horns and letting off fireworks.
Boris Johnson was joined by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak outside 10 Downing Street as they took part in the national salute.
A video posted on the Kensingtonroyal Instagram account showed Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis clapping to thank healthcare staff “working tirelessly” to help those affected by Covid-19.
And their grandfather, the Prince of Wales, was seen for the first time since testing positive for coronavirus.
Clarence House posted a video in the Instagram Stories of heir to throne Charles joining in with the round of applause from Birkhall.
The prince, who appeared to be indoors, clapped along. He was smartly dressed in an open necked shirt and jacket with a handkerchief in his pocket.
There was also footage of Camilla, who is isolating from Charles because she does not have the Covid-19 illness, clapping separately as she looked out of an open window.
The Clap For Carers campaign, which started online, was staged because “during these unprecedented times they need to know we are grateful”, according to the organisers.
At the same time, landmarks including Belfast City Hall, Principality Stadium in Cardiff and the London Eye were lit up as part of the #lightitblue salute.
Not long afterwards, a tweet from the NHS account said: “That was emotional.”
Earlier, announcing his package for the self-employed, Mr Sunak said the scheme which will be open for at least three months, will cover 80 per cent of a self-employed person’s average monthly profits.
But it may not be available until June and will only be available to those who have a tax return for 2019, meaning the newly self-employed will be ineligible.
And Mr Sunak warned that the self-employed could face tax hikes in the future as part of the effort to “right the ship” and repair the battered public finances after the coronavirus crisis is over.
