Dear John,

Clapping for Carers in the first lockdown was nice.

A sense of solidarity and standing side by side, socially distanced, with our neighbours while we got used to the shock of the strange new reality we found ourselves in.

But this time around, in our third lockdown, we’ve heard repeatedly from frontline carers and keyworkers that while the applause was nice, this time around they want action instead.

Frontline workers – carers, nurses, cleaners and drivers – are at the forefront of the grittiest, most traumatic aspects of the coronavirus pandemic. And it’s time they had the support they deserve.

That’s why, one week ago, I (accidentally!) launched the #ThunderclapForCarers movement.

A thunderclap is a collective and simultaneous call to action, designed to catapult campaigns and causes into the public consciousness by doing it at the same time.

And it worked - last week 17,000 tweets were sent with the #ThunderClapForCarers hashtag between 8pm and 10pm. It was #1 in twitter trending for most of the night! Not bad for a grumpy tweet I’d sent earlier in the day!

So we’re back this week. To keep up the noise and the pressure on MPs to give our carers the working conditions, pay and support they deserve. From 8pm on Thursday night, write to your MPs and demand they give key workers the support, equipment and pay they deserve.

Since last Thursday, the campaign has really taken off. Using Best for Britain’s easy Hey-MP tool, we’ve sent over 7,000 messages to our representatives already.

So every Thursday, at 8pm, instead of clapping, ask your MP to do their bit to ensure frontline key and essential workers are paid a decent liveable wage. Let’s see if we can double the number of messages we send this week!

Send your message at 8pm tonight. You can schedule it on Twitter or pop a reminder in your phone - and remember to use the #ThunderClapForCarers hashtag!

I know what it's like to live on the breadline. It's why I started my recipe blog - to help those who may only have pennies to feed their family, to do so in the cheapest most healthy way. And I don't want any Brit to have to struggle to put food on the table, let alone those who are putting their lives at risk to keep the rest of us safe.

In March, the nation came together to clap for carers. But as we enter the most desperate period of the pandemic, real action is needed, the time for gestures is over.

The government has systematically failed our essential workers.

Key workers need decent pay. The government has frozen public sector wages. Key workers need proper PPE. The government has caused a shortage by exporting PPE and refused to join Europe-wide procurement programmes.

If we send these messages at the same time, every Thursday, all together, politicians will sit up and take notice.

Please, feel free to add your own thoughts and experience to let your MP know why giving key workers the support they need is more important than ever. Tonight, at 8pm, let’s make noise which makes a difference.

Action, not noise. That’s how we help all the key and essential frontline workers who’ve kept us safe during the pandemic.

Last week, we saw an amazing response. Let’s keep raising our voices at the same time every week until they make a change.

Best wishes,

Jack Monroe,
Food Writer, daughter of a former nurse, and founder of #ThunderclapForCarers