Calgary police salute hospital workers at 7 p.m. shift change with lights, sirens

Police gave their own salute to the front-line medical staff at Calgary's hospitals this weekend with a full parade of lights and sirens at the 7 p.m. shift change.

The salute joined thousands around the country who have taken a moment to thank those who are putting theirlives on the line every day during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Tonight officers from all over [Calgary]joined members of the community to show appreciation for the health-care workers who are doing their best to keep us healthy," Const. Chris Martin wrote in a tweet on Friday.

"Thank you to our health-care workers andthank you to everyone who has been helping them by staying home."

He addedhashtags #lightsofhopeand #yyc7pm which have quickly caught on as Calgarians pourout their thanks on social media.

The salute to hospital shift changehas become a daily moment of respect in cities around the world, as citizensstep out on their balconies and open their windowsto applaud, cheer and bang pots and pansat 7 p.m.,a time chosen to coincide with the shift change at most hospitals.

The movement began inItaly,with spontaneous music making andbalcony salutes for shift change starting weeks ago.The nightly ritual has also been picked up by those self isolating inIndia, Spain, Israel, California and elsewhere.

In the Beltline, residents took to their balconies. And in Canmore, they took to theirback decks.

Exhausted medical workers have posted their own photos urging Canadians to stay home, and showing the draining effects of hours strapped inside surgical masks.

"As a MD at Rockyviewhospital, I can't thank you enough for this amazing show of support and also for all@CalgaryPolice does for our #yyc community," wrote Dr. Misty Harris, in a tweet that was echoed by others in the health-care field.

After the show of support, it was soon clear that Calgarians support not just the police and front-line hospital workers, butall workers, from 911 operators to supermarket clerks, who keep aquarantined city going.

Calgary policeshared the heartwarming reactionsand urged Calgarians to continue the show of support and to keep stayinghome.