NHS Staff Share Photos Of Bruised Faces To Encourage Social Distancing

By now, we should all be aware of the vital importance of social distancing and self isolating, where applicable.

It's tough for all of us, but none more so than our heroic NHS workers, who are working around the clock to save lives and keep us safe.

One doctor highlighted the impact of what they're going through by sharing a selfie after a gruelling nine-hour shift moving critically ill Covid-19 patients.

Natalie Silvey, an anaesthetic registrar working in London, tweeted the picture with the caption: "This is the face of someone who just spent 9 hours in personal protective equipment moving critically ill Covid-19 patients around London. I feel broken - and we are only at the start. I am begging people, please please do social distancing and self isolation."

In subsequent tweets, she added: "Those red/purple marks across my face are from my mask and are deeper than you think. Today I have seen just what Covid- 19 is doing and now I just want to scream at people to listen to us.

"I volunteered to do this. The consultant anaesthetist I was with volunteered. This is bringing out the best of us. Now can the rest of the country please bring out their best and listen!"

The selfie has since gone viral, receiving more than 320,000 likes and 94,000 retweets, with other NHS workers responding with selfies of their own:

Natalie subsequently took the opportunity to pay tribute to all the nurses who are playing a vital role on the front line.

She said: "Bit blown away by the responses to this. I was a crying mess when I sent it. The real heroes - nurses. Today I saw just what efforts they are going to and I am truly humbled to work alongside them."

So everyone, please spare a thought for all our NHS workers and do your bit to help them by following the government guidance. For them, and for all of us.