Clapping for Carers: The World Cheers on Essential Workers

New York, NY

All around the world, people have been sharing their appreciation for the essential workers still operating during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Whether by leaning out of car windows, clapping from balconies, or banging pots and pans, the public wants to show their gratitude for the workers who routinely put their lives at risk to resume essential services. This is how three major cities show their appreciation for the tireless efforts of essential workers.

NEW YORK, USA

One Thursday in New York, these acts of gratitude led to a rousing collective rendition of the Bill Withers 1972 song "Lean on Me," organized by the Peace of Heart Choir nonprofit in New York City. The event, which happens weekly, is called 'New York Sings Along' and is meant to boost morale and honor workers on the front lines of COVID-19.

Robert Hornsby, director of fundraising at the choir, said that the weekly sing-alongs have boosted the energy and lifted the spirits of New Yorkers. Grateful citizens get the chance to share the healing power of music while maintaining a safe social distance.

Each week, the nonprofit selects a positive, well-known song and plays it after the applause for essential workers - from Frank Sinatra's "New York" to the Ben E. King classic "Stand by Me." It brings joy to the hearts of many to know that as long as there is a song to sing, New Yorkers will be there to sing it.

The applause continues in London, where Prime Minister Boris Johnson joined in on the nationwide round of applause after battling the deadly virus in early April. The crowd also gathered on April 30th to celebrate the 100th birthday of war veteran Tom Moore, who raised over £30 million for the NHS.

The collective applause has become a weekly ritual in Britain since it first took place in late March. Prime Minister Johnson had not been seen publicly taking part since before he was taken to hospital due to COVID-19 on April 5th, where he spent three nights in intensive care.

"Tonight, I proudly clapped outside 10 Downing Street for our fantastic NHS and carers. Thank you all for everything you are doing," Johnson said on Twitter shortly after the applause.

His fiancee, Carrie Symonds, also paid tribute to key workers, tweeting, "Clapping again for our tremendous carers tonight and wishing hero Captain Tom Moore a very happy birthday."

TORONTO, CANADA

In Toronto, a line of TTC and GO buses paraded down University Avenue, locally known as Hospital Row, to salute frontline healthcare workers.

Marching south from Queen's Park Circle, down University Avenue, the parade passed by several Toronto hospitals. The parade included nearly 20 buses, special constable units, and Wheel-Trans vehicles, all decorated with red and white balloons and handmade posters thanking frontline workers. On the front of each bus, the banner used to indicate the bus route was changed to read, "Thank You Health Care Workers."

"They put their life in jeopardy every day coming down and assisting others and ensuring that we're all saved. We're tremendously thankful for that," TTC duty station manager Christan Maglieri told CP24.

This is the second parade in Toronto to honor frontline workers. Earlier in April, another parade was held by Toronto Mayor John Tory, who marched along with the city's first responders to pay tribute to healthcare workers on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19. Across Canada, grateful citizens lean out of their windows and on their balconies to cheer and clap for the ongoing efforts of essential workers.

In every city, there is a celebration of the workers who do not have the choice to stay at home and shelter-in-place. Vendors, food-service workers, transit operators, and the like routinely risk their lives for the safety and livelihood of others. So, here’s to all the workers keeping us safe! We salute you, we appreciate you, and we thank you.

London, England

London, England

Toronto, ON