Portsmouth's health heroes: Today we salute all those who are the real heroes - COMMENT
The word 'hero' is used a lot today. It has passed into common parlance and, for example, we routinely call a footballer scoring a goal to win a match a hero for their efforts (or at least we did when there was any football).
'What a hero', we may say to a friend who offers to get the next round in at the pub (remember pubs?).
But the problem with such everyday familiarity with the term is that it suddenly seems woefully inadequate when it is needed to describe real heroes.
Let's remember that the dictionary definition of hero is 'a person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities'.
So today we reclaim the word in its original sense as an apt description of all those NHS workers who are on the front line in the battle with the coronavirus.
Each day they arrive knowing that they could potentially be exposing themselves to harm.
But it doesn't affect the way they continue to look after patients with compassion and consideration.
Meanwhile there are care workers, delivery drivers, council employees, supermarket staff and others who are contributing so much during these unprecedented times.
As a nation we have already shown our appreciation for NHS workers in particular by applauding loudly from our windows and doorsteps each Thursday evening.
But today we demonstrate how much we think of those in our area with a special edition of this newspaper that celebrates our local heroes that were nominated by you – from nurses to paramedics, from care workers to midwives, from pharmacists to community support workers.
We're delighted to be able to recognise in person those who are working long shifts in very difficult circumstances.
They're an inspiration to us all – and real heroes.