Letters - April 24, 2020

End the lockdown - let us go out now
It is necessary to extend the lockdown for months? Opinion is dividedIt is necessary to extend the lockdown for months? Opinion is divided
It is necessary to extend the lockdown for months? Opinion is divided

Three things are required for sanity: fresh air; exercise; and conviviality. The latter is crucial as humans are social beings who require companionship. Hence a government which limits all three is heading towards a cliff edge.

There is an innate snobbishness about the Tory Party and it has reared its ugly head during this coronavirus epidemic. To be told that one hour is sufficient time outside for the plebs by someone who lives in a detached house with its own grounds grates on my teeth.

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Not one word of sympathy, or even a mention of the difficulties being foisted on people who live in big cities in apartment tower blocks.

Instead we see the spectacle of dog walkers in the empty Derbyshire Dales persecuted by a special flying drone and a chief constable, no less, threatening that shopping trolleys will be searched for non-essential items.

Worst of all is the lack of face to face contact with family and close friends.

To be told that the lockdown may continue for months is wrong. There is no evidence to prove this is necessary.

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The man responsible for this hare-brained scheme has been unable or unwilling to release his statistical analysis nor his study of the subject. It is wild guesswork which has gone from 500,000 to 50,000 to 20,000 deaths.

Over a million people have already lost their jobs; much more if you include the self-employed ‘man with a van’. Many small shops face ruination.

The Government’s answer has been to borrow more money than in the Second World War. No-one alive today will live to see the final repayment.

It is interesting to note Sweden has chosen not to go for lockdown.

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It is blessed with two world class scientists on these subjects – Dr Anders Tegnell and Prof Johan Giesecke – the statistics seem to support them.

I think Sweden is going to shame the rest of Europe as life is carrying on there and other medical care is saving lives.

Edward Johnson

Lancashire

Virus

Tom epitomises that ‘KBO’ spirit

Captain Tom Moore – what an amazing person who epitomises the Second World War fighting spirit.

There is much talk of giving him some high recognition. Well, the Army might start promoting him to say Field Marshal (honorary).

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He really does epitomise the bulldog spirit which Churchill used at the worst of times with ‘KBO’. Younger readers may not be familiar with this, if so, speak to someone in their 80s and they will put you right. Modesty prevents me from quoting it in full.

Bob Swallow

via email

Virus

Lions led by donkeys

Is it just me who’s fed up with floating bubbles of speculation, conjecture and banality emitting from Chris ‘witterer’ Whitty and Matt (Geoffrey, supervisor in Hi-de-Hi) Hancock?

Surely it’s social distancing, masks/PPE, testing and vaccines?

All the rest is speculation.

If the Government is still rudderless, ask for advice from Germany.

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Our people seem to be social distancing and playing their part, medical staff are risking their lives and private businesses are offering to mass produce PPE, which the Government ignore and consequently are being exported.

It all smacks of lions led by donkeys.

Oh, me being asthmatic thank you to the lady who kind gave me some simple face masks.......any chance you could run the country?

Jim

via email

Virus

Stamping out spitting in sport?

A report that suggests footballers should wear face masks when they re-commence training and playing games brought a smile to my face.

The virus is spread by airborne droplets (my terminology) when someone sneezes or coughs.

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Are the authorities going to advise players to refrain from spitting?

Presumably the sputum carries the virus through the air and lies on the pitch alive and active for a period of time. We see players in many other sports spitting.

What an opportunity to stamp it out?

In reality it would be like enforcing the 20mph speed limit.

Chris Barwise

Ashton

Charity

Thank you for Swimarathon

Through your columns I would like to express a huge ‘thank you’ to Lytham Lions whose brilliantly organised, executed and enjoyable Swimarathon this year benefited local Guide Dog Funds to the tune of £7,500.

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We are all the more delighted to receive this boost as the virus has halted our Community Fundraising for the duration other than online and In Memoriam. So “THANK YOU LIONS’ SWIMMERS” from all of your local Guide Dogs Volunteers.

Brenda Wildish

Coordinator

Guide Dogs Fylde Coast Team

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