Queen’s honours for Covid heroes mark a watershed – The Yorkshire Post says

Vindication of the decision to delay the announcement, traditionally made in June, to reflect the country’s Covid heroes, the award-winners are just a snapshot of the selflessness that has been shown by so many – including, of course, Yorkshire’s very own Captain Sir Tom Moore.

And while much of the national focus will be on the MBEs awarded to fitness guru Joe Wicks and footballer Marcus Rashford, two shining lights of the 2020, they, themselves, will be truly humbled to collect their medals alongside lesser names who have made such a difference.

Too numerous to list, their presence on this weekend’s roll of honour, also notable for the number of young people recognised, gives this country – and county – even more reasons to be proud of a remarkable collective endeavour to help the most vulnerable.

And then there are the recipients from the NHS, emergency services and military whose response to Covid, and other disasters for that matter, personifies the very best of Britain.

Buoyed in the first phase of the pandemic by the Clap for Carers weekly show of support, these awards – and belated recognition from the powers-that-be that front line workers should be taking precedent – are a welcome tonic. And while any decision on whether to bestow a George Cross on the entire NHS is for another day as Britain comes to terms with a rapid rise in Covid infections, let’s hope this honours list does now set a benchmark for all future awards.

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Thank you

James Mitchinson