Sir, – There has been a large amount of media coverage of coronavirus in the UK around the handling of same.
However I have not seen anything about what is happening to prevent further cases coming into the UK.
The UK Government has known since January that coronavirus was a problem and did nothing to stop cases coming in, either by air travel or through ferry ports.
So now there is a full-scale epidemic which cannot readily be contained.
As someone who lives in the Far East (Korea) what has been happening here should be of some relevance.
Taiwan has probably been the best at dealing with the outbreak by closing contact with China at an early stage and imposing a strong airport testing regime.
In Korea the government did not close travel to or from China, hence a large influx of cases.
Korea now has strong testing facilities at the main airports and, with the situation within the country under control, the number of daily cases found at the airports are often the largest amount.
In this country the outbreak has been centred on Taegu, initially through a Christian group with links to Wuhan, and the adjoining province.
Significant numbers of cases are in Seoul and the adjoining province.
There are not so many cases in the rest of the country.
I believe the UK has no testing of incoming passengers into the country so there will be cases coming in to the UK daily which will make matters even worse than they are currently.
Hence airport/ferry port testing should really be introduced to cover incoming cases.
Korea for some time was the number two country in number of cases and subject to some international criticism, but is now down to 14 as the health service has really got a hold of the situation having handled 390,000 cases for testing.
It is a figure the UK would have difficulty matching.
John McKay.
Busan,
South Korea.
UK Government to lead UK NHS
Sir, – I have noticed that the Scottish Government do not instantly follow the proactive and reactive measures implemented by the prime minister in an effort to reduce the impact of coronavirus.
Despite there being no firm borders within the UK, the SNP government decide on different timetables for any combative restrictions/guidelines.
Surely, in times of national emergency such as this Covid-19 pandemic, there should be one set of guidelines for all devolved governments to implement in parallel.
I am well aware that the Scottish Government currently control the National Health Service in Scotland but surely in times like this legislation should give overall temporary control to the UK Government concerning the establishment of emergency powers controlling our national security and health.
In the event of any anomaly not covered in the general directives, this could be handled by the relative devolved government.
Bob Tennant.
Dawson Crescent,
Monifieth.
Countryside is no theme park
Sir, – What makes the Scottish Wildlife Trust think reckless wildlife disturbance is unique to its reserves? (Kayaker condemned after flushing ospreys from nest at nature reserve, Courier, March 31).
This happens on a continual basis in the rest of Scotland as thoughtless ramblers, dog walkers, river users etc disturb our native wildlife at a particularly vulnerable time in their calendar.
Perhaps this year our native creatures will get a break, but as long as folk treat the countryside as some sort of outdoor gym or theme park, this behaviour will endure.
Of course all are welcome to enjoy Scotland’s countryside but surely a two-month break in the spring is not too much to ask?
Gerard Watts.
Persie House,
Bridge of Cally.
Time to lead by example
Sir, – Scotland’s 32 councils have increased council tax by an average of 4.5%.
This at a time when families are struggling to cope with the extra expense incurred due to the coronavirus.
Most wage earners have experienced a cut in their income of 20%, which would have been more had the UK Government not guaranteed to pay 80%.
Most of those working in local government are getting their full salary.
It would be a welcome gesture for those earning more than £50,000 to take a reduction of 20%.
That would make the council tax increases more palatable.
The Scottish Government could also show an example by reducing MSPs salaries and expenses by 20%.
Clark Cross.
138 Springfield Road,
Linlithgow.
Axe all hospital parking charges
Sir, – Private companies own the car parks in some of our biggest hospitals (Axing hospital parking charges will cost £950,000, Courier, March 27).
Just how did this come about and who in government allowed it?
It is time our country was governed for the benefit of the people not the greedy who think they have a right to tax us for parking our car.
As for the hospital car parks, councils have the power to compulsory purchase the ground so why are they not using it for the general good?
John G Phimister.
63 St Clair Street,
Kirkcaldy.
