You are not clapping for the NHS
You’re clapping just to make yourself feel nice.
You do not care about the deep distress
You cause, expecting them to sacrifice
Their lives to care for people such as you,
Who go outside to do a conga line.
Who cough and say “I’m sure it’s just the flu”
Then pop out to the shop to get more wine.
Till suddenly you find that you can’t breathe
Call 111, and then call 999,
And even as you gasp for breath, believe
Those street parties two weeks ago were fine.
Don’t stand and clap next Thursday; stay inside.
In ten days, count how many more have died.
Tom Juniper Poetry 