Letters - Wednesday February 24, 2021

Thankfully, control of the Covid virus appears to be occurring and, in particular, the overwhelming pressure on hospitals and clinical staff is slowly diminishing.

I remain in awe of the scale of their extraordinary care, sense of duty, commitment and resilience displayed in relentless challenging circumstances.

I hope that the Government responds in kind and in a meaningful way, acknowledging and generously rewarding the supreme efforts of hospital staff, who have served their communities in such an exemplary way.

It requires substantially more than fine words, public applause and the insulting proposal of Matt Hancock – a medal. I believe initiatives should be explored, such as: A generous pay rise, an extra week’s holiday, free meals for six months, sabbaticals, bursaries and organisation with local business partners to provide tickets for restaurants, gyms, theatres etc.

Whilst these ideas would be complex to organise, it is no reason not to do it.

If the will is there it could be achieved. I further believe that all communities would gain from this investment as the morale of NHS staff is understandably low and such an initiative would go some way to ensure they feel valued and their morale boosted, staff would be likely to be energised to further serve their communities by providing quality care/treatment.

Malcolm Rae OBE FRCN

Lancashire

Brexit

Blame lies with UK Government

I am sure that there are very few people who do not feel desperately sorry for the shellfish industry, fishing in general and the many small businesses now forced to relocate to the EU to preserve their existence, shedding UK jobs in the process.

What is difficult to understand is the mindset of those who appear to think that the blame lies with the EU.

The deal struck with the EU inevitably established the UK as a ‘Third Country’ in relation to the European Union.

The rules relating to third countries were established, with our full compliance when we were members.

They are designed to protect member countries which, of course, we no longer are.

Brexit supporters were content to trade that status, and incidentally free movement of British citizens, in return for the ‘sovereignty’ they were promised.

It is not justifiable to suppose that the EU should create some fourth country status for the UK now that the impact of Brexit is becoming clearer by the day.

I do not blame anyone for voting for Brexit in the referendum, those who did were lied to about the outcome and they should not be blamed for believing those lies.

What is much more difficult to understand is that there still exist those who feel it would all be fine if only the EU would stop being unkind to the UK.

What we are experiencing is the effect of the deal struck by our Government and it is towards them that any Brexit anger should be directed.

M J Bowman

via email

Virus

Self-isolation in poorer areas

A recent Government report by the Joint Biosecurity Centre pointed to the “stubbornly high” coronavirus rates in deprived communities in England.

The test-and-trace scheme had failed in these areas for many reasons including the “unmet financial needs” of people in poorer areas. They could not afford to self-isolate when asked because of inadequate financial help from Government.

Baroness Harding, who is responsible for test-and-trace, claims that eight million people have been contacted and asked to self-isolate, but about 20,000 people per day were refusing to comply fully, allowing the virus to spread. This is not only dangerous but incredibly expensive.

Bob Holland

via email

Virus

Everyone put at risk

The Government apparently does not favour making Covid vaccination mandatory. Fair enough. Yet the wearing of a seatbelt is, and it is there for the sole benefit and protection of the belt wearer. Those who decide not to be vaccinated put others at risk as well as themselves.

Those who are not prepared to help the NHS and doctors by taking their advice to be vaccinated against Covid-19, unless they have good reason, should not expect or have the right to receive advice and treatment from their doctor when they themselves fall ill.

Hopefully our doctors will have persuasive powers.

We are spending billions of pounds trying to keep the virus out of this country and yet we are going to allow the un-vaccinated to spread and perpetuate this virus for some time to come.

John Johnston

via email