Fifty years ago, a form at my school (Letters, 9 August) was a supposedly anonymous attempt to assess the extent of smoking among pupils. Against the question “Sex”, someone had written “Yes, please”. There was then a witch-hunt to find the culprit. Analysis of handwriting narrowed it to me and one other boy. While I agreed with the sentiment, it was not me, Sir.
Clive Mowforth
Coleford, Gloucestershire
• I agree with Benjamin Weissman that emojis enrich our language (Emojis aren’t debasing language – they’re enriching it, 10 August). They’re succeeding where Esperanto failed.
Stan Labovitch
Windsor, Berkshire
• As a nation, we have always been proud of the status of the NHS as the world’s leading healthcare system. Your report on the latest ranking from the Commonwealth Fund (NHS drops from first to fourth among rich countries’ healthcare systems, 4 August) discloses that the NHS has lost the top ranking through poorer access to care. There is a danger that Covid-19 will be used as an excuse by politicians for the deteriorating performance, so it is important to note that much of the data in the report was gathered before the pandemic. A future return to the top of the rankings seems unlikely.
Dr Michael Morgan
Oakham, Rutland
• Ten of the best actors with chemistry and no Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn (From Brangelina to Bogart and Bacall: the best on-screen chemistry, 6 August)? Arguably, the best of them all.
Clyde Jeavons
London
• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication.
