The first event, which was more or less spontaneously (and unofficially) arranged, seemed to me a touching gesture. The attempted co-option by the very politicians who are to blame for putting key workers in danger is another matter. Repetition of such gestures does tend leach them of authenticity anyway, till it becomes little more than a duty and neighbours start to name and shame each other for not clapping hard or long enough - much like delegates at a CCP leader's speech.