Sir, – The clap for the NHS shows the fundamental decency of the people of this country.
It also raises a very uncomfortable question – what is the government trying to hide by this exercise in distraction?
Could it be the lack of a competent and efficient government like South Korea’s, which was able to bring Covid-19 under control without a lockdown, by early control of its borders, rapid hi-volume testing and effective contact tracing?
Could it be the panicked imposition of an economy-destroying lockdown, in stark contrast to the Swedish government, which included responsible social-distancing and self-isolation by the vulnerable, but not closing society and the economy down?
Could it be the lack of a political narrative to get us out of lockdown without blame attaching to government?
Otto Inglis.
Ansonhill,
Crossgates.
UK must ‘hang tough’ to beat coronavirus
Sir, – Why are we talking about closing borders?
If the UK and Scottish governments are receiving the same scientific and medical advice based on best evidence and experience gained, then there should be no difficulty whatever in pursuing a common lockdown exit strategy.
There may be UK geographic and sector variations to take into account, but again, that can be factored into a co-ordinated UK/four nations plan.
Westminster’s “surefooted” approach, based on evidence gained from countries who are ahead of us in the pandemic cycle and who are already testing what works, is the way to ensure we don’t go through this all again in six months.
For the sake of all, we need to hang tough and do this together.
The first minister knows that, or should do.
Cllr Tony Miklinski.
(Conservative)
Cupar Ward, Cupar.
Jimmy Krankie wouldn’t fit
Sir, – I’ve already had a letter published about police not wearing facemasks,but it appears I may have done them an injustice as we have been ridiculously slow in getting the necessary PPE to frontline workers.
I’m beginning to think that by the time we get everybody equipped the lockdown will be over.
Also, why do some people seem to think they’ve got some sort of immunity to this disease?
I never leave the house without my antiseptic, gloves or facemask, but many seem to think it’s perfectly OK to do so.
I had an argument with an elderly couple after I heard the lady say “it’s ridiculous that men are wearing masks”.
After I suggested everybody, especially people her age should be wearing them, her husband said I’d no right to remonstrate with them.
Also, it’s great that the shops are making an effort, but who on earth put the social distancing strips down to keep us two metres apart.
The two ASDA stores where I live have lines clearly defining where you have to stand as a safe place.
If Peter Crouch lies down he should fit between the lines. But I’d be surprised if wee Jimmy Krankie could fit in the space.
As a country we were very slow to react to this pandemic, but we must keep the lockdown going as long as is necessary.
Finally, please do not inject disinfectant.
Eric Travers.
38 Gellatly Road,
Dunfermline.
Indy Scotland still ‘pipe dream’
Sir, – Nicola Sturgeon was quoted recently as saying we have a chance to create a new nation out of the devastation of the current pandemic.
Is it possible that she can be thinking in broad terms about the UK?
Scotland could not have coped in the present dire economic conditions as an independent country.
It has been supported, like all parts of the UK, by the UK economy and the Bank of England.
It is most likely all this talk of creating a new nation is just ‘poppycock’.
How will Nicola Sturgeon or her SNP acolytes create an economically and politically viable independent Scotland?
Scots voters in 2014 pronounced it as just a pipe dream. That has not changed.
Robert I G Scott.
Northfield, Ceres.
Comparing and contrasting
Sir, – I watched the New Zealand prime minister saying she and her ministers would be taking a 20% cut in their salary in solidarity with the hardships the population are facing .
Compare that with the unashamed greed of Westminister MPs who, already with inflated salaries, have got themselves a handout of £10,000 to work from home.
Mike Rogalski.
82 Feus Rd, Perth.
Sturgeon must rein in MPs
Sir, – On the Marr Show Nicola Sturgeon refused to support Dundee MP Stewart Hosie’s description of the UK Government’s corona performance as “botched and shambolic” and gave a measured explanation of her “grown-up conversation” approach, without giving specific details or dates.
Later, Health Minister Jeane Freeman also confirmed any local interpretations should be based on a UK-wide, evidenced based, approach.
This co-operation is vital to beat and recover from corona and was acknowledged by Dominic Raab and former Tory leader Ian Duncan Smith at the weekend and I imagine Boris Johnson will too.
Unfortunately Ms Sturgeon’s Westminster colleagues Hosie, Blackford, McNeil and Cherry are undermining all this at a time when they should be her envoys in the corridors of power. She needs to rein them in.
Allan Sutherland.
1 Willow Row,
Stonehaven.
Garden only half done but bin full
Sir, – In this time of lockdown I have been left with little else to do but my garden.
The insanity of the council’s brown bin tax is now becoming abundantly clear to me, and probably all gardeners throughout the city.
I used to have two brown bins which I could put out alternately or together as suited the needs of my garden.
Now thanks to the council’s daft tax – which I resent paying – I only have one which is now full and my garden isn’t half done.
It seems my options are limited to: Sitting on my thumbs and watching it grow back, fly tipping or filling a black bin with perfectly good compostable material.
Which does the council prefer?
Keith Nicoll.
3 Nursery Road,
Broughty Ferry.
No need for golf to have stopped
Sir, – The prime minister’s locking-down of club golf where participants are never less than six feet apart – and often hundreds of yards distant – reminds me of his hero Churchill’s collection of iron railings during WWII.
These were completely unsuitable for the war effort and dumped at sea but he could claim we were “all in it together”.
The concept of a few pensioners enjoying golf must have kept the usual suspects awake at night so of course it had to be banned.
However I cannot help but wonder if Mr Johnson had been a golfer rather than a jogger whether we would now be subjected to sweaty, panting runners crowding us off the pavements and all well within six feet.
Rev Dr John Cameron.
10 Howard Place,
St Andrews.
