Nurses and their loved ones have taken to social media to share pride in their profession and to urge people to do more to help them in their fight against coronavirus by staying at home.
Doctors and nurses from around the world joined forces to promote a Stay Safe online campaign.
Taking to TikTok, two nurses clad in surgical gowns, masks and gloves, took it in turns to hold up paper signs to the camera pleading with the public to show responsibility.
‘We also family but can’t stay home,’ one message read, followed by, ‘We are not on vacation,’ and ‘Be responsible stay home because I can’t.’
The plea from health professionals for others to curb outdoor activities came as many revelers continued to visit pubs and restaurants with packed scenes in some cities on St. Patrick’s Day.
Taking to TikTok, two nurses clad in surgical gowns, masks and gloves, took it in turns to hold up paper signs to the camera
A second nurse holds up a paper sign saying, ‘Wash your hands!’ and another, ‘We are exposed to everything for you!’ and finally, ‘Help us! Take care of me I’ll take care of you!’
Nationwide the number of confirmed cases stands at 2,626 with 104 deaths. Some 953 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus in London – more than a third of the UK total of 2,626. Yesterday Boris Johnson announced testing will be ramped up to 25,000 a day after coming under scathing criticism for letting thousands go undiagnosed. Only 5,000 people were being swabbed daily for COVID-19 previously.
Lonndon faces plunging deeper into lockdown within days – and potentially with just 12 hours’ notice – amid fears the ‘superspreader city’ is driving the UK’s coronavirus outbreak.
After the daily death rate doubled to 33 yesterday, residents in the capital are set for tighter restrictions on their movements – with signs the government will urge people to stay at home unless it is absolutely essential.
Over-worked staff are taking to social media holding messages for the public to stay at home as they have stayed at work
It emerged that military chiefs are putting up to 20,000 troops on standby to be deployed to Britain’s streets, hospitals and other key sites to help tackle the pandemic. Reservists have also been told they must be read to join a ‘Covid support force’. Some 150 soldiers are undergoing fast-track training on how to drive oxygen tankers around the country in order to supply hospitals.
Piers Morgan shared on Twitter a message he got on Instagram from a nurse in Wales named Nicky Waldron.
The Good Morning Britain star praised Ms Waldron’s dedication as the NHS calls in retired doctors to help in front line effort.
‘Got this msg on Instagram from a nurse in Wales named Nicky Waldron. Just shows the kind of sacrifice & dedication that all health workers are making right now. Good luck Nicky (and to your daughter) & everyone on the NHS frontline. Thumbs up,’ he tweeted.
Piers Morgan shared on Twitter a message he got on Instagram from a Welsh nurse working on the front line
In her message to Piers Morgan, Nicky said the NHS was a ‘pretty grim place to be’ at the moment with ‘very little lack of supplies’ and asked for nurses to be kept entertained
In her message Nicky said the NHS was a ‘pretty grim place to be’ at the moment with ‘very little lack of supplies’ and asked for nurses to be kept entertained.
‘I’m a nurse working in one of the biggest a&e’s in South Wales!!! Thank you for all the support your giving the NHS right now!! It’s a pretty grim place to be right now!! I’ve just said goodbye to my pregnant daughter who still lives at home!!! I’m not going to see her for the foreseeable future as I don’t want to risk passing anything on to her!!! Absolutely heart breaking for me!!!’
‘But I will go to work 2moro and work my 12.5hr shift and look after the vulnerable and COVID patients with very little supplies!!!’
Please keep entertaining us nurses!!!’
Twitter user Sunshine Moon shared a picture of her and a colleague at a hospital in Germany.
She wrote on Twitter: ‘We as nurses in all categories and doctors all over the world work under high pressure.
‘Some of us even stay in nursing homes and hospitals. Heroes don’t wear a cape these days.
‘God bless you and stay healthy.’
Chris Brereton who’s fiancee is a nurse in the North West urged members of the public not to be selfish.
‘My exhausted fiancee, a f***ing heroine, has just got in from her hospital shift. One three-minute chat with her would convince anyone still going to pubs etc that their actions are the stupidest and most ludicrously selfish thing they will ever do in their lifetime. Get indoors,’ he posted on Twitter.
Chris Brereton who’s fiancee is a nurse in the North West urged members of the public not to be selfish
Nurses like Rosanna Chilvers spoke of her pride in her profession and the fantastic team work
Michelle Shephard, who is a senior sister in urgent care, said her team were continuing to keep a smile on their faces.
‘Today I was so proud of our ED team… wading through uncharted territory every shift with a smile on our faces and supporting each other through it as we go … giving up days off to come in to cover short shifts without even batting an eyelid,’ Ms Shephard posted #teamED #urgentcare #proudnurse.’
Nurse Rosanna Chilvers spoke of her pride in her profession:
‘And right now I couldn’t be prouder to be a nurse. The community outreach is amazing. The team work is overwhelming. And in the hardest of times we only get better!!!’
Doctors and medical staff around the globe are calling on people to stay at home following the coronavirus outbreak
Another team of medics at a Turkish hospital posed with their handmade signs as part of the Stay Safe online campaign.
Meanwhile another team of doctors held their hands in a triangle shape – while one person held up the written sign telling people to ‘please stay home’.
It comes as the number of coronavirus cases worldwide has reached 220,846 – and more than 8,000 deaths.
China has reported 34 new cases from people who have recently returned to the country.
Likewise, South Korea has seen a hike in people testing positive – with 152 additional cases on Thursday.
Michelle Shephard, who is a senior sister in urgent care, said her team were continuing to keep a smile on their faces
Meanwhile footballers Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs have revealed their hotels will be made available free of charge to NHS workers during the pandemic.
The former Manchester United duo own the Stock Exchange and Hotel Football in Manchester and will close both properties to the public from Friday, giving access to 176 beds to medical staff.
‘Over the last week we have been in consultation with the health services in the Greater Manchester area, and in particular the Manchester University National Health Services Foundation Trust,’ Neville said in a video posted on Twitter.
‘And our 176 beds will be occupied by National Health Service workers and medical professionals from Friday onwards.
‘It is in this moment in time that I think the whole of our industry needs to show solidarity not just for our staff in these uncertain times, but for the people who need the accommodation most in the coming months.
‘It is something we are delighted to have come to an agreement with. It will be free of charge our staff will operate the hotels as normal.
‘And the health workers will be allowed to stay there without any cost whatsoever in these next few months when they need isolation away from family members who may be affected by what’s going on.
‘It’s obviously very difficult times and we hope we can grow out of this stronger as a hotel business beyond what is happening.
‘But for the time being, stay safe and I wish everybody all the best.’
Neville also guaranteed that none of the staff at the hotels would be made redundant or forced to take unpaid leave as the pandemic threatens a tough few months for the hospitality industry.
Chelsea have also opened the Millennium Hotel at Stamford Bridge to NHS staff for an initial two-month period.
Food chains also rallied around NHS staff amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
McDonald’s said all emergency services personnel and health and social workers in the UK would be able to collect free drinks at all restaurants while Government guidance allows them to stay open.
The chain’s restaurants are becoming takeaways, drive-thrus and delivery operations as the company attempts to cope with the outbreak.
The official Pret Twitter account said hot drinks were ‘on the house’ for all employees with a valid NHS staff card, and discounts are being offered on food.
The official Pret Twitter account said hot drinks would be ‘on the house’ for all employees with a valid NHS staff card, and discounts are being offered on food
In a tweet, Pret said: ‘…we’ll take 50% off everything else. Thank you for everything you are doing. We look forward to serving you’
In a tweet on Wednesday, Pret said: Your hot drinks are on the house from today, and we’ll take 50% off everything else.
‘Thank you for everything you are doing. We look forward to serving you.’
Pret chief executive officer Pano Christou said it was important to ‘show solidarity and stand by each other in this difficult time’ as he announced the discounts.
He said: ‘The teams on the frontline of the NHS are doing an extraordinary job and deserve all our support through this crisis.
‘Hopefully this small step helps brighten their day.’
Starbucks coffee chain have also committed to giving free filter coffee to NHS, council and emergency services staff in support of their ‘courage, commitment and resilience.’
The company announced it will also be moving to a new ‘to go’ only model across its UK outlets – closing cafe and patio seating, but maintaining Mobile Order & Pay, Drive Thru and delivery services.
WHSmith also said it would be doubling the NHS staff discount on food and drinks to 20% in all its hospital stores from Thursday.
A spokeswoman said: ‘We are hugely grateful for the exceptional efforts and commitment of our NHS staff in these unprecedented times.’
The Butcher’s Hook Gastropub at Stamford Bridge in London is also offering 20 per cent off for all NHS staff.
McDonald’s said all emergency services personnel and health and social workers in the UK would be able to collect free drinks at all restaurants while Government guidance allows them to stay open (a McDonald’s in Liverpool Wednesday)
The Butcher’s Hook Gastropub at Stamford Bridge in London is offering 20 per cent off for NHS Staff