Calls for minute’s silence to honour Scotland’s key workers who have died from Covid-19

A call has been issued for Scots to pay respect to the country’s key workers who have died from coronavirus and “paid the highest price”.

Health unions have joined forces to ask people to honour the workers and their families through a minute’s silence on 28 April, which is International Workers’ Memorial Day.

The RCN, the Royal College of Midwives and UNISON, who collectively represent more than a million NHS and public services staff across the UK, are behind the call.

Scottish key workers who have tragically lost their lives to Covid-19 include carer Catherine Sweeney, who was the first Scottish care worker to die from the virus, nurse and health care support worker Janice Graham, and NHS worker Jane Murphy.

The virus has claimed the lives of at least 100 health and care workers across the UK, according to nursing platform Nursing Notes.

A statement on the RCN’s website said the minute’s silence “will allow the nation to pay respect to those whose work involved caring, saving lives, and keeping key services running and the rest of the country safe, while showing support for families who have lost a loved one”.

Together with @unisontheunion and @MidwivesRCM, we're urging the country to observe a minute’s silence on Tuesday 28 April to remember all the health, care and other key workers who have lost their lives to #COVID19. #NeverForgotten #IWMD20 https://t.co/w0T5nnzfdO

— The RCN (@theRCN) April 20, 2020

Flags at the RCN’s headquarters will be flown at half-mast in tribute to the nursing staff who have died during the pandemic.

RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Dame Donna Kinnair said: “We’ve become used to hearing a great roar on a Thursday night for key workers, but this respectful silence will be a poignant reminder of the risks they run to keep us safe. I hope the public gets behind this with the same affection they show when applauding our people.

“The silence is a simple show of respect for those who have paid the very highest price, but their loved ones must know the levels of gratitude we feel as a nation and take some comfort from that.”