Clap Because We Care: Nurse thanks New York City for cheering healthcare workers every night

'This makes me cry almost every dang time'

A nurse has expressed her gratitude to the New York City residents who have cheered nightly for healthcare workers.

In recent weeks, New York City has found itself an epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic in the US, with the city confirming more than 81,803 cases of the virus and 4,755 deaths.

To thank the healthcare workers and hospital staff who have worked on the front lines, New Yorkers have been clapping each night at 7pm as the hospitals change shifts, a trend that has been named #ClapBecauseWeCare.

“The daily 7pm clapping from our windows all across NYC to thank our first responders, healthcare and essential workers makes me so proud to be a New Yorker,” one person tweeted about the nightly display, which has continued to pick up speed as more residents join in.

According to Kelley Bradshaw, a New York ICU nurse at Mount Sinai, the cheers fill her with joy and give her “such a boost” each night.

“You guys, it’s 7pm and they’re doing the thing,” Bradshaw told ABC News during a virtual interview, while walking over to her window to hear the applause. “Oh my gosh, you guys, this makes me cry almost every dang time.

“That gives me such a boost and such hope that we’re going to unite and we’re going to fight this bad boy because this virus is vicious.”

Bradshaw is not the only one that has been moved by the emotional display of support each night.

“After a 14-hr day, can be tough not to get disheartened (although pts slowly better) and exhausted given the end of Covid-19 not yet in sight,” David Furfaro, a pulmonologist at New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, tweeted. “Then a friend shared this video of NYers cheering us on. The texts, cheers, and thoughts are incredible and really do help. Thanks #NYC.”

“7pm Eastern time. Just walked out of the hospital to hear the applause, cheers, and honking horns of NYC. Almost a full moon rising over the river. I felt like doffing my cap. But I don’t wear one. I didn’t expect to feel moved, but it was very moving!” another healthcare worker tweeted.

The cheers have also resonated with New Yorkers, who have described the "unity" they feel as a result of the nightly applause.

“The 7PM applause really makes you feel the unity #NYC,” one person tweeted.

Another said: “Every night, Hell’s Kitchen in NYC lights up with cheers, shouts, and all kinds of love for our medical frontline and first responders.

"We will keep cheering for them until this plague is over.”

New York City is not the only city to applaud healthcare workers each night. In cities around the US, including Los Angeles and Atlanta, as well as in cities around the world, people have cheered from their homes to show their support for those fighting coronavirus on the front lines.