Aged Care Insite Australia's number one aged care news source
Health workers are being embraced in different ways around the globe as they put their lives on the line at a time when most of us are safely locking down and isolating.
We have seen images of volunteers bringing food and supplies to health-workers and last week, Britons in coronavirus lockdown took part in an emotional show of solidarity with health workers by taking part in the “Clap for our Carers".
On day three of its lockdown, the idea exploded on social media, and was encouraged by celebrities, politicians and even the royal family.
Television pictures showed people clapping in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, breaking the quiet brought about by severe restrictions on public life and an edict from the government to stay indoors to stop the virus spreading.
Landmarks across the capital lit up in blue in tribute to the National Health Service (NHS).
The NHS has also been inundated by volunteers after PM Boris Johnson called out for help. 250,000 volunteers signed up to help the NHS cope with the coronavirus outbreak, more than double that number signed up within two days. By Thursday evening, the figure was over 670,000.
Here in Australia, a a 25-year-old assistant nurse was wearing her uniform at a takeaway shop in the Blue Mountains when an older woman began coughing at her.
As she was leaving the store, the older woman verbally abused her and punched her twice in the face, NSW Police said.
Members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association are reminding the community they are doing everything they can to look after patients as confirmed COVID-19 cases rise in regional NSW.
"Please do not treat nurses, midwives and other health workers like they are infectious," association general secretary Brett Holmes said in a statement.
"These trained professionals should be respected and must not be abused, spat on or assaulted as they move through our communities, to and from their workplaces."
In Adelaide, a nurse finishing her night shift copped a $60 parking fine, only for a kind stranger to step in and pay for her.
In an Instagram post shared on the ‘shitadelaide’ account, the nurse said: “Shout out to @cityofadelaide for handing out parking fines at 10.27pm on a Monday night to hospital staff... you are the true heroes," the account wrote.
"May God protect each and every one of your parking inspectors who will making sure that our empty city streets cannot be used by hospital staff and patients."
However, a later heart-warming post shared on the same account brought a happy ending to the tale as a local photographer paid the fine.
ANMF SA branch CEO/Secretary Elizabeth Dabars said: “Now more than ever is not the time to be imposing fines in relation to people's ability to get to and from work."
Do you have an idea for a story?Email [email protected]
Get the news delivered straight to your inbox
Receive the top stories in our weekly newsletter Sign up now