Sir, – Despite some supermarkets having allocated certain “priority slots” for mature shoppers, such measures can only prove of value when effectively policed.
Other measures, for supermarkets, which could go a long way towards reducing infection may also be given consideration in the coming days.
One way lanes with appropriate “dividers” as used at airport check-in/out zones, with no jay-walking permitted.
Latex gloves should be made available to all and worn by shoppers who will have to keep the recommended distance of two metres between each other at all times.
It may become necessary to have such measures controlled by the authorities concerned.
Kenneth Miln.
6 Swallow Apts,
Union St,
Monifieth.
Where is the evidence?
Sir, – I suspect that closing down Britain with medieval curfews isn’t the right answer to coronavirus.
Of course I’ll be accused of undermining the NHS, threatening public health and other conformist rubbish but it never does any harm to question decisions made by men in white coats.
At first the government resisted wild demands but then came a retreat from reason into fear.
Schools that were to stay open are shut; the same with cafés and pubs. Shops and supermarkets are next followed by despotic curfews with their presumption of guilt and arbitrary arrest.
So far all that we have heard is speculative warbling from committee men.
The only “scientific” document comes from an Imperial College team – the team whose advice on the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak led to the unnecessary slaughter of millions of healthy cattle and sheep.
Pandemics are ubiquitous, all expected to kill millions: bird flu (1997), Mad Cow Disease (1999), Sars (2003), swine flu (2009).
We’re told to emulate Italy or China. Why?
There’s no evidence their flailing, despotic measures reduce the incidence of coronavirus.
Let’s try to get a grip!
Dr John Cameron.
10 Howard Place,
St Andrews.
Indy numbers don’t add up
Sir, – The demands imposed on government and its finances demonstrate very clearly the imperative of Scotland remaining in the UK.
How would a separate Scotland have combated this crisis?
The compensatory measures for firms and individuals derive from an injection of huge amounts of money, the kind of amounts that the UK Treasury can access.
Scotland’s individuals and firms will be compensated, but not because of all the alleged Scottish wealth nationalists like to brag about. For one thing, the price of oil – the talismanic commodity on which secession in 2014 was to be based – has even dipped below $30 per barrel, a far cry from the $113 predicted in 2014.
The compensation that Scots will receive will derive from Barnett consequentials, something that would not be available to a separate Scotland.
If Covid-19 has shown one thing unequivocally, it is the economic madness of Scots trying to go it alone.
Jill Stephenson.
Glenlockhart Valley,
Edinburgh.
Bridging gap in employment
Sir, – It seems we are governed by people who mostly think they are still at university and they are special.
Most have never done a day’s work in any of our heavy industries.
I, and millions of others, rebuilt this country. Who do they think built the North Sea oil industry – graduates?
Now our politicians are talking about a tunnel to Ireland.
I want to drive on a road/rail bridge, not sit on a train like the English Channel tunnel.
A fire on a bridge does not pose the same risk as a fire in a tunnel.
Hopefully the steel produced and the work done in the UK, along with all the other material used, and the north put back to work.
John G Phimister.
63 St Clair St,
Kirkcaldy.
How is council tax being spent?
Sir, – I recently received my council tax assessment from Perth and Kinross There was no breakdown on where the tax was expended.
I lived in Dundee 60 years ago and remember that the expenditure on the various sectors was itemised (education, housing, roads, refuse, parks and leisure etc.)
Why are we now kept in the dark?
What have they got to hide?
It is our money that they are dealing with and we deserve to know what Perth and Kinross Council are doing with it.
Ian Strachan.
Eathie, Golf Course Road, Blairgowrie.
Think again on price rise, BT
Sir, – When the world is reeling from a pandemic and elderly vulnerable people are isolated in their own homes totally dependent on telephones and broadband, BT has sent out letters informing us of price increase from March 31st.
Shame on you BT.
Jessie Denst.
38 Riverside Park,
Blairgowrie.
Coronavirus problem solved
Sir, – Next weekend when the clock is due to go forward, why don’t we just put it forward three months?
Problem solved.
Bob Wilson.
39 Maule Street,
Monifieth.
