It's just a simple home-made sign with "Thank you" painted on it - but it lifts the spirits in dark times.
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Mark Conley painted it himself in red acrylic paint. He stands outside Canberra Hospital with it as staff pass.
They respond with waves and smiles - and coffee. They come back out with cups of the stuff (memo: he takes it decaffeinated).
His message of gratitude is simple. "The fewer words, the better," he said.
"They deserve the thanks. They are unappreciated."
But not unappreciated at the moment.
A host of companies and community groups are donating food and affection: Brodburger, Domino's pizza and Rotary among them.
The offerings of a pastry chef at the exclusive Commonwealth Club had gone down well.
"A particular shout out to Donna who is a patissier at the Commonwealth," a Canberra Health Services spokesperson said.
"We've been amazed by all of the community support and generosity over the last few weeks.
"It's great to see the community spirit still alive during such a difficult time. We really appreciate it."
The outpouring of goodwill is appreciated by the staff.
"It's really nice to see this kind of thing," anaesthetist David Wright said.
"The support of the public is wonderful."
It showed that people appreciated that "we are working towards helping them", he said.
Dr Wright is from Queanbeyan and has worked at Canberra Hospital for 12 years. He said he had never seen such an atmosphere of co-operation between staff within the hospital as now.
While it was not unknown for doctors to argue in the past, "I've never experienced this level of co-operation," he said.
"We are all working together to provide a service. There's universal concern to create a solution.
"We are all in this together. There is no point in division."
He said that as well as the "camaraderie and hope", there was also an "undercurrent of anxiety". Nobody knows what the situation will be when the full wave of the crisis hits.
He said the public could also show gratitude by staying home.
"It's nice to see that people are showing respect but you don't have to give us food or gifts or hold up signs," he said.
"Just follow the instructions and stay home."
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or the federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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Steve Evans
Steve Evans is a reporter on The Canberra Times. He's been a BBC correspondent in New York, London, Berlin and Seoul and the sole reporter/photographer/paper deliverer on The Glen Innes Examiner in country New South Wales. "All the jobs have been fascinating - and so it continues."
Steve Evans is a reporter on The Canberra Times. He's been a BBC correspondent in New York, London, Berlin and Seoul and the sole reporter/photographer/paper deliverer on The Glen Innes Examiner in country New South Wales. "All the jobs have been fascinating - and so it continues."
