Why people are divided on ‘Clap for Carers’ coming back last night

Clap for Carers made its comeback in time for the new lockdown, but it’s not receiving the same wave of applause this time round.

The campaign to celebrate NHS staff and essential workers by clapping and banging pots on doorsteps began initially in March as a spontaneous event, but continued for several weeks with millions of people taking part.

Now, as the UK goes through another lockdown, the initiative has been revived and rebranded as Clap for Heroes, but some people are reluctant to embrace it to the same extent.

Though people did return to their doorsteps for the celebration, the event drew a muted response in comparison to the widespread support in March.

This comes after the founder of Clap for Carers, Annemarie Plas, has distanced herself from the campaign. In a statement, she said that she had been “targeted with personal abuse and threats against myself and my family by a hateful few.”

Much of the criticism towards the campaign has come from healthcare workers, who argue that staying at home and wearing masks are more productive ways to help NHS staff.

Meanwhile, others have pointed out that politicians have embraced Clap for Carers without actually giving the NHS the support it needs.

Keir Starmer was among the few who participated this week, but the Labour leader acknowledged that “clapping isn’t enough”.