"Clap for Carers" creator calls to end heartfelt tribute to NHS and care workers

Annemarie Plas, whose “spontaneous idea” has united a nation, says next Thursday’s weekly 8pm Clap For Our Carers event, the tenth, should be the last.

The 36-year-old, from South London said: "I think it’s good to have the last of the series next Thursday, because to have the most impact I think it is good to stop it at its peak.

"Without getting too political, I share some of the opinions that some people have about it becoming politicised.

"I think the narrative is starting to change and I don’t want the clap to be negative.

"A clap is something normal people can do, showing our appreciation. But the power is not with us. We can give them respect but we are not signing the cheque – that falls on another desk."

Ms Plas, a yoga teacher originally from Amsterdam, originally thought her show of support for frontline workers battling Covid-19 might end up being just her and a few friends sharing a moment on Facetime.

However since its creation at 8pm on every Thursday since the UK was plunged into lockdown many people across Yorkshire and the UK have been united. People have flung open their windows and doors, or have stood in their gardens or – socially distanced – on street corners to show their appreciation for nurses, carers and others battling the coronavirus on the front line.

There is no doubt this tribute has lifted people's spirits and the #ClapForOurCarers idea even has its own website.

Mrs Plas said: “I was inspired by what was happening in my own country and I thought it would be good to have it here too.

“It got really big, eh?”

However over the past few weeks there have been an increase in scepticism both from the public and also from health care workers.

Ms Plas suggested resurrecting the clap in 2021 to mark a year since the coronavirus outbreak.

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