Letters - Monday January 4 2021

I absolutely agree with some letter writers and their concern for our National Health Service.

My son lives in America and has done for almost 20 years.

The American health giants are interested in one thing – profit.

The patient does not matter at all if they cannot pay.

Health insurance is extortionate and, like our car insurance, if you actually need to use it for something serious, the company may not insure you at all in the following year or will push your premiums up.

An example is $800 per MONTH for one adult and two children – AND YOU WOULD STILL HAVE TO PAY ABOUT 20 to 30 per cent of any medical bills.

A GP consultation could cost $100, even with insurance.

This is so serious and I believe this Government will allow it to happen because many MPs and Tory donors will benefit from investments in the companies.

My son has said many times to me that nothing will be regretted more in this country than the loss of our NHS. Don’t believe any politician who tells you that you do not need to worry, you do.

Pat Probin

via email

Brexit

Brexit deal is cruel on the young

Having callously and casually deprived young British people of the life-enhancing benefits brought by the ability to travel, study, work and live freely on the continent of whose heritage Britain has long been a pillar, Boris Johnson cruelly announces that the UK will no longer participate in the EU’s Erasmus student exchange scheme.

He does so while repeating his desire for “our young people to experience the immense intellectual stimulation of Europe but also of the whole world”. Furthermore the new rules would have rendered the Beatles in Hamburg too complex and costly and likely prevented the involvement of many European dancers in our beloved Strictly.

The UK’s own experts see a four per cent decline in living standards with the EU trade deal. The independent trade deals to be struck will likely never compensate for erecting barriers to previously seamless trade with the continent.

But what most saddens is how Brexit reduces opportunities for our scientists to shine, our linguists to thrive, our musicians to play and for my grandchildren to travel and study, live and work in Europe, rights that their Irish cousin and British citizens born in Northern Ireland will still have.

James Bovington

address supplied

Virus

Taking comfort in care home staff

Because of the pandemic, I have not been able to see my 98-year-old sister, who is in a care home, for some time. It was heartbreaking to find she no longer knew me. However, the care assistant with her was very good in helping her to gain a little idea of my identity.

I have to say that I do admire the care staff in the way that they are trying so hard to prevent the spread of the virus, and it is comforting to know she is well looked after.

Peter Hyde

address supplied

Virus

Bless them all in the health service

What a magnificent job our frontline staff in the UK have done this year.

The NHS has faced its most challenging time ever.

Doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers, porters and so on. These people are second to none.

I even heard a rumour from a fellow writer the other day that Sir Patrick Vallance has himself been lending a hand in hospitals.

I stand in awe and praise of our country in its ultimate hour of need.

May the Lord richly bless them all in 2021.

Happy New Year everyone.

Geoffrey Brooking

via email

Safety

Cyclists wearing dark clothing

Further to recent correspondence, when will someone tell cyclists that dressing in black Lycra or other dark clothing is not helpful to their safety on busy road - and the traffic navigating around them?

Chris Liddle

via email