Readers on how to memorialise the thousands who have died in the pandemic and healthcare workers who risk their lives
On Tuesday, to mark the anniversary of the first Covid-19 lockdown, we will all stop for a moment to reflect on those we have lost to this dreadful pandemic. Personally, I think of the thousands of people who have died in care settings. Every death is a tragedy, the loss of a loved one – a father, mother, husband, wife, son, daughter, aunt, uncle or friend. Tuesday is also a time to think of and thank all those carers, NHS staff and other key workers who put their lives at risk to care for others. To acknowledge that work, it would be nice if the government could give all health and social care staff in England a bonus, like the £500 payment awarded in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Mike Padgham
Scarborough, North Yorkshire
• The doctors, nurses and support staff who have been looking after Covid patients in hospitals and care homes for over a year now have a job that is quite different from any other that I can think of, apart from active military service. They go to work daily, knowing that they will be placing themselves in an environment that could kill them.
