The award of the George Cross to the National Health Service is the greatest accolade a grateful nation can bestow beyond the field of battle. Their holders all belong to the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association, which has a lively reunion every other year in the presence of royalty. After all, such awards are made on the advice of the Prime Minister and the George Cross Committee, which must meet to endorse each decision. The George Cross was created by King George VI at the height of the Blitz. It was the dangers facing NHS staff just like these which prompted this newspaper to start the Mail Force campaign last year.

Source: The Nation July 05, 2021 01:07 UTC