People are celebrating the NHS
(Picture: AFP via Getty)Moving on from weekly claps on our doorstep, people are now turning to Twitter to express their gratitude for the incredible work NHS staff have done and continue to do during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Thank You Day, which takes place today, comes ahead of the NHS’ 73rd birthday tomorrow, with the health service set up on 5 July 1948.
It also follows several landmarks across England being lit up to mark the anniversary on Saturday.
“After 18 long months, the end of lockdown is finally in sight … Before normal life takes over again, we want to pause and say thank you to everyone who helped.
“From neighbours who kept the noise down or dropped off the shopping … delivery drivers and supermarket security guards who kept us fed, local shopkeepers who stayed open, care workers, doctors, nurses, volunteers, and everyone who obeyed the rules – we couldn’t have done it without each other.
“[The NHS’ birthday is] a perfect moment for the country’s biggest ever thank you party. A chance to get together in the sunshine (we hope), with our neighbours, communities and families, to mark what has happened, celebrate the spirit that got us through and say thank you,” a webpage on the official Thank You Day website reads.
What started as an idea proposed by just 13 people has now become a national celebration, with #ThankYouDay being the top trend on Twitter at the time of writing and many people showing their appreciation for the NHS, key workers and volunteers:
We all have someone to say thank you to this year.
— NHS England and NHS Improvement (@NHSEngland) July 4, 2021
Today is national #ThankYouDay — a chance to thank everyone who deserves it, together.
Ahead of the #NHSBirthday we’re thanking all #OurNHSPeople for their incredible work over the past year. pic.twitter.com/DPQDRBXWd3
Today is #ThankYouDay so we’d to say a massive thank you to the 1.3 million NHS staff and all the other key workers who have done so much for so many during the pandemic.
— NHS Million 💙 (@NHSMillion) July 4, 2021
Please RT if you would like to thank them too. pic.twitter.com/WdvXUnYrIB
We want to pay tribute and say a huge thank you to all the key workers and volunteers who worked so hard through the pandemic 👏
— Manchester United Foundation (@MU_Foundation) July 4, 2021
This day is for you ❤️#ThankYouDay pic.twitter.com/7UABnLORy6
We want to pay tribute and say a huge thank you to all the key workers and volunteers who worked so hard through the pandemic 👏
— Manchester United Foundation (@MU_Foundation) July 4, 2021
This day is for you ❤️#ThankYouDay pic.twitter.com/7UABnLORy6
So proud of my Front Line sister and all of the #NHS who are still caring and protecting us. You are ALL HEROES XXX #ThankYouDay #thankyouNHS pic.twitter.com/hEFAONitn5
— Toyah Willcox (@toyahofficial) July 4, 2021
Thank you to all nursing staff for their invaluable contribution to the health of our nation and supporting communities - and thank you to the public who continue to stand by them #ThankYouDay pic.twitter.com/qS9suKo30i
— The RCN (@theRCN) July 4, 2021
Today is the first annual #ThankYouDay, which gives us a chance to show our gratitude to the millions of people who supported this country through the pandemic.https://t.co/JGhFz05Ptt
— England (@England) July 4, 2021
Others took the opportunity to take aim at the Government, and point out that NHS workers are still in need of a pay rise following their heroic work during the crisis:
How many heroes we celebrate in vaccine research, medicine, science, business, the Arts, football, tennis - or just keeping us safe by delivering groceries or mopping floors - wouldn't be in the UK, had Priti Patel's 'points system' applied to them or their parents? #ThankYouDay
— Alex Andreou (@sturdyAlex) July 4, 2021
I don't want your thanks.
— ziggy (@Karenlovecheese) July 4, 2021
I want you to ignore govt advice.
I want you all to keep safe.
I don't want to meet you at work.
Johnson insulted us with 1%.
I ask you to honour us by taking precautions.
This is NOT over.
Stay safe💙#ThankYouDay
So today is #ThankYouDay for the NHS. How about the government thank us by paying us #NHSPay15
— Katie 💙 #NHSPAY15 #FBNHS (@IamOneTiredHCSW) July 4, 2021
Hats off to them all.
