Turkey Applauds Health Workers Fighting Coronavirus

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After several calls were made on social media during the day, citizens from all parts of Turkey took to their balconies and windows at 9 p.m. yesterday (March 19) and applauded for a minute to thank health workers for their help and struggle against the new coronavirus (Covid-19), which has so far claimed the lives of four people in Turkey.

The move originally started in European countries. Following several calls on social media under the hashtag #SağlıkEmekçileriİçin1Dakika (1 Minute for Health Laborers), people have also followed suit in Turkey.

Among the ones who made a call were also Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) Chair Şebnem Korur Fincancı and Saturday Person Maside Ocak as well as Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca.

During a speech at the Parliament earlier yesterday, Koca asked the MPs to applaud health workers working hard to curb the spread of the virus.

Following the applause, Koca, who is himself a medical doctor, has tweeted, "You gave strength to our devoted healthcare professionals with your applause." The Minister has called on the public to continue showing their gratitude with their applause for three evenings in a row.

Some scenes from across Turkey are as follows:

Ayşegül Özbek - bianet