14 January 2021
Across the world, health workers have spent nearly a year risking their health on the frontline against the coronavirus pandemic. Once again those of us in the UK find ourselves amid a national lockdown, isolated from one another as we all do our part to protect each other and the NHS.
Meanwhile, in the occupied Palestinian territory, doctors, nurses and other essential workers are doing their duty in the harshest of circumstances: a context of perpetual military occupation and, in Gaza, under an illegal closure and blockade that frustrates access to essential medical resources and isolates them from the rest of the world.
More than 160 people in the UK, Palestine and around the world have so far taken part in our #IsolatedButTogether campaign, sharing selfies and messages of support to show solidarity with these Palestinian health heroes. We are taking these selfies to Palestine, placing them on billboards in Gaza and the West Bank to share them directly with those who have spent many exhausting months giving their all to save lives. The billboards also share essential COVID-related health messages – on the importance of wearing a mask, hand washing, and social distancing – with the wider community.
Last month our #IsolatedButTogether billboards were up in Ramallah and Gaza City and this month they can be found in Nablus and a new location in Gaza City, close to the main hospital, Al Shifa.
Great to see our second #IsolatedButTogether billboard is up in the #WestBank, this time in #Nablus. Thanks to everyone who took part in MAP's campaign, sharing sharing selfies & messages of support for #Palestinian health workers battling #COVID19 https://t.co/31WGMU1yri pic.twitter.com/9uszS9zc4G
— Medical Aid for Palestinians (@MedicalAidPal) January 4, 2021
Before we launch our final billboards next month, we want to give you the chance to share a selfie if you haven’t already. If you have not yet taken part, please submit your #IsolatedButTogether selfie by 17 January by clicking below:
Post an #IsolatedButTogether selfie
Thank you to everyone who has taken part so far. Though the pandemic has isolated us all at times – from friends, family and loved ones – you have helped ensure that Palestinian health workers know they are in our thoughts and hearts.