Coronavirus: Remembering all the victims who have died

A leading estate agent is launching a campaign to get the UK to observe a minute’s silence for all coronavirus victims every Monday at 8pm. 

Simon Gerrard, of Martyn Gerrard Estate Agents, is keen to gather support and is encouraging people to join in. 

The idea is that, much like the weekly Thursday evening clap for NHS carers, people stand on their doorsteps and open their windows for a moment’s contemplation and remembrance of all those who have lost their lives to Coronavirus.

Gerrard was driven to start the campaign through his concern over the steady rise in the number of people flouting social distancing, despite over 28,000 deaths so far, who he feels are not taking the threat that such actions pose to themselves, NHS workers and the community seriously enough. 

As shown by the minute’s silence for NHS workers victims last week, it is a powerful reminder of why we are all staying at home. 

He has already written to the Prime Minister and wider government departments and would like to see as many people as possible on board to conduct the silence starting from this evening. 

Gerrard said: “The minute's silence this week for those NHS staff that have fallen victim to the virus has shown the power of reflection and remembrance in hitting home just how deadly infection can be, and I believe that this movement must be harnessed to fight the ignorance and lack of care putting us all at risk. 

“This is why I am campaigning for a minute's reflection to be extended to include all coronavirus victims, and to take place as a weekly event every Monday, in the same way as we clap for our carers each Thursday. 

“By having a weekly moment to sombrely reflect on all those who have lost their life to this terrible crisis - as we would for any other loss of life on this scale - it is hoped that the genuine life and death situation we are living in will hit home for those tempted to flout government guidelines and hamper the work being done by you and your government to reduce infection.

“We all know someone who has been affected, or even lost their life, and it is vital that we work together to prevent loved ones being taken too soon by this horrible disease.”

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