Health Heroes: The Scotsman joins campaign to say ‘thank you’ to those leading the fight against coronavirus

At first, many of us were unsure.

There is something special about Thursdays.

We first felt it two weeks ago when at 8pm the ripple of applause rang out across Scotland’s streets to celebrate those who are leading the fight against coronavirus.

At first, many of us were unsure. Will I be the only one clapping? Does anyone else even know this is going on?

But as more people came to their doors and leaned from their windows there was this release of emotion and a feeling of community and togetherness which some of us had forgotten ever existed.

And then last Thursday, more clapping was amplified by the sound of Scotland the Brave as pipers across the nation struck up to honour our heroes in music. Videos were shot on our phones and shared widely across the world.

These are simple gestures – but ones that captures the heartfelt praise so much of us want to offer to those who are keeping the country running during this pandemic: NHS staff, care workers, bin collectors, supermarket employees, police, army and many many other essential workers.

This message was echoed by the Queen earlier this week as she praised the “dedication to service” of nurses, midwives and other health workers during the outbreak in a message to mark World Health Day.

#healthheroes - Over 100 JPIMedia titles launch campaign to salute those fighting against coronavirus and helping to keep us safe PIC: PA

She added: “In testing times, we often observe that the best of the human spirit comes to the fore; the dedication to service of countless nurses, midwives and other health workers, in these most challenging of circumstances, is an example to us all.”

That is why today The Scotsman – along with more than 100 titles owned by JPIMedia – have come together to say thank you and again salute those who are making a difference in the communities they live in up and down the country.

In letters to me, phone calls to our newsdesks and through our social media channels you have told me how much you appreciate the bravery and sacrifice.

Our readers have spoken of their pride in the NHS; they have shared photos of those on whom we have rarely depended more and they have shared their messages of appreciation to those who are making the sacrifice to keep our country safe and healthy.

Of course, some of those on the frontline have already paid the ultimate price including care workers, nurses and consultants.

Some individuals, who are healthy and not at high risk, have volunteered to support the nationwide effort through the Scottish Government’s Scotland Cares campaign.

Glasgow rugby prop Petrus du Plessis is one of those. The 38-year-old South African has offered his services to the NHS at this moment of national emergency as a qualified respiratory physiotherapist as rugbis in lockdown. “I strongly believe it’s important to have all hands on deck to overcome this virus,” he said.

Others are supporting more locally by keeping an eye out for vulnerable neighbours, delivering newspapers, giving blood and running errands. The Royal Bank of Scotland has partnered with the Trussell Trust and Social Bite, turning Gogarburn into a foodbank warehouse.

For newspapers it is an opportunity to join together as a collective force to celebrate and amplifying those stories and the message: #HealthHeroes.

After all, we live here. We love our country and we care deeply about those in our communities. They are quite simply our heroes – and they mean so very much.

Our job in all this is to keep readers informed. To present you with the facts. To ask the questions no one else is. To provide a forum for debate. To make you think. And to provide some distraction to all this through other news.

On the NHS front line and for shop workers, refuse collectors, carers and those that keep the nation functioning, every second has never counted more, been more demanding, piled more stress and pressure on those committed to serving us.

Well today we assure you that you are in our thoughts.

More than that, from our hearts we thank you.

And as we each discharge the safest and simplest of tasks of staying at home, in the silence we salute you too.