Story By: Michael Leidig, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
This is the moment crowds including police officers not wearing masks are packed close together ignoring social distancing outside Southend Hospital in Essex in a tribute to the medical workers inside.
But the footage taken online showing the support taking place outside the hospital in Southend-on-Sea has caused a storm of criticism after showing the NHS supporters standing packed close together, including a line of police officers. The crowds also included firemen and RAC breakdown staff.
One Twitter user wrote: “How can you seriously be praising this behaviour. My family and I are locked up, self isolating, my daughter missing exams and school, my son is missing school, my wife is furloughed. Why is my family doing this while these plums meet up for a happy clap in a massive group?”
Another netizen called ‘JMSupervox’ wrote: “Brilliant!! These people currently spend most of their days telling people to observe ‘social distancing’ and where necessary breaking up groups and gatherings and then arrange a mass gathering of their own? Really?”
User ‘hindsey23’ wrote: “Feel like screaming mate, how do the police expect to keep order even this happens” (sic) and ‘Ryliez1’ added: “Soooooo social distancing? Or are we all immune on a Thursday at 8pm?”
The video was posted online by health worker Julie Levere who said it was great to come out and have such a warm welcome.
She told CEN she was not allowed to comment on the situation inside the hospital with the treatment of patients, but added it was a “surprise to see so many NHS support there after my shift”.
She posted the short video online with the message: “How lovely to come out of work to this Your Southend #NHS.”
The 49-second video shows police cars with lights flashing together with crowds of people and other emergency workers. Doctors and medics can also be seen milling around and a woman in surgical scrubs carrying what appears to be a cup of coffee is seen pointing her fingers at the police officers.
On 5th April, Southend Hospital reported that they had seen 17 deaths from the virus.
Family GP Dr Habib Zaidi, 76, became the first British doctor to die of the coronavirus after sacrificing himself to care for others. He died in intensive care at Southend Hospital in Essex last month after self isolating at home.
The footage attracted comments from people like Claire Looby who wrote: “Julie this is beautiful (heart).”
And Yvonne Gibling said: “brought tears to my eyes.”
And Lucy Freeman said: “Oh Julie!! This has just broken me. Sending you lots of love lovely lady! Stay safe.”
