NHS staff worthy of the highest recognition

Sir, – On Thursday evening when the NHS clapping tribute to the NHS was on the news, I was surfing the net for updated information on coronavirus in various countries.

I was struck by some of the headlines such as “war” against the pandemic, and the number of doctors and nurses who had caught the virus from their patients and had indeed died as a result.

I also noticed a couple of incidents of NHS staff being evicted from their rented homes due to the rationale that they will be in contact with coronavirus patients and sooner or later they will bring it back to the house.

In war, those in the services who put themselves in harm’s way to save the lives of others may well be awarded the Victoria Cross, or at the least some other medal for bravery.

Many athletes are given awards, even knighthoods, simply for winning for their countries against other countries.

Some celebrities are likewise given awards for endorsing their favourite charities.

So what then of the NHS staff who are going back in there, day after day, knowing well enough that there is every chance that they may well be the next victim of the virus.

What of them when eventually, hopefully, this virus is beaten.

Do they just get back to work and get on with it, hoping with any luck they will get a rise in salary next year?

Is all they are to get a round of applause for a few minutes by an extremely appreciative public.

Surely they are worth at least as much, or possibly very much more, than some of those who were given greater awards for very much less.

Ian Macdonald. Primrose Terrace, Perth.