As we write this short piece in late April 2020, Matt Hancock, the Conservative government's Secretary of State for Health and Social Care in the United Kingdom, has just announced that the critical care workers during Covid-19 are to be issued with a blue badge.This is a 'badge of honour' to mark their commitment to the nation during this pandemic and recognise that they put their lives at risk working at the frontline of the outbreak.Yes, a blue badge.This comes after weeks of national displays of gratitude that began with support for the National Health Service (NHS) and then extended to carers.'Clap for carers' sees neighbours stand on their doorsteps every Thursday at 8 pm, banging pots and pans, sometimes accompanied by supportive police sirens and flashing lights, to show our united public affection for those saving our lives right now during the coronavirus pandemic.During the crisis, the United Kingdom is showing its appreciation in highly visible ways: the nation's windows are adorned with children's pictures of rainbows; buildings are lit up in the blue of the NHS; murals of masked nurses as heroes are springing up on the side of buildings; farmers are ploughing NHS signs into their fields; and some people have even put their Christmas lights back up.Reflecting this surge of 'caring' nationalism, even Boris Johnson, the UK prime minister (who contracted Covid-19 after displays of macho bravado, which included boasting about shaking hands with Covid patients) stated on his hospital release that the NHS was 'powered by love'.How 'caring' and sentimental this all seems right now.This affective mood generated through the valorisation of our care staff may indeed be heart-warming, especially as a salutary response to our very real fears.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Wood et al. (2020) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: