Doctor tells of ‘heartbreak’ as crowd shouted ‘Covid is a hoax’ outside St Thomas’ hospital

Anti-lockdown protest and New Year celebrations in London
Police officers during an anti-lockdown demonstration in central London on Thursday night
Reuters
Michael Howie2 January 2021

A doctor has spoken of his devastation after encountering a crowd of maskless revellers shouting "Covid is a hoax" outside London's St Thomas's hospital on New Year's Eve.

Dr Matthew Lee said he was "disgusted but mostly heartbroken" after filming the group outside the hospital where medics battled to save Prime Minister Boris Johnson's life last year after he contracted coronavirus.  

The accident and emergency doctor posted a video of a crowd of people outside the entrance to the hospital near Waterloo on Thursday night.

"Worked the late A&E SHO shift on NYE and came out to this," he wrote on Twitter. "Hundreds of maskless, drunk people in huge groups shouting 'Covid is a hoax', literally outside the building where hundreds are sick and dying. Why do people still not realise the seriousness of this pandemic?"

The doctor continued: "I'm disgusted but mostly heartbroken. I wish people could see the amount of #COVID19 and death in hospitals, and the sacrifices that healthcare workers make. This week alone has been so tough. Their ignorance is hurting others. I really wish people would keep themselves safe."

His message prompted an outpouring of support for the doctor on social media, as well as anger at the actions of the crowd.

One Twitter user wrote: “I bloody hope Karma bites them back, I’d never wish anyone harm ( or to get Covid) but these are the spreaders.. these are people  so inane.”

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