Honouring NHS staff

sir – In May 1894 there was an outbreak of bubonic plague in Hong Kong that lasted four months and during which more than 2,500 people lost their lives. A medal was subsequently struck for those nurses, civil servants, police, and British Army and Navy personnel who gave their services.

Since the coronavirus pandemic is still with us, the question of recognition may be a little premature. Also, given that the NHS employs more than 150,000 doctors and 320,000 nurses, the number of potential awards may seem high. But this crisis has been compared to a war, and the number of recipients of the 1939-45 war medal far exceeds the number of NHS staff who might be deemed eligible for an award.

Expense will be a consideration, as it was in 1945, but the opportunity to recognise the bravery and fortitude of NHS staff, and to record the eternal gratitude of the British people, should not be overlooked. I am confident that any fund to pay for the cost of such an award would soon be oversubscribed. I, for one, would happily contribute. Nicholas Young

London W13

sir – In 2015 the Ebola Medal was established for members of the Armed Forces and civilians working in support of the British government’s response to the Ebola crisis in West Africa. It was the first medal to be awarded by the British government for a humanitarian crisis response.

I can think of none more deserving of recognition for their efforts in the current crisis than NHS personnel. A Covid-19 medal should be struck for these heroes. Roger Manley

Liverpool