Sir, – What unusual times we are living in.
That said, the comparisons being drawn to that of “war” is perhaps a tad insulting to our ancestors.
We are being asked to sit on the couch and watch television, while they were piling into Anderson shelters to avoid being bombed.
However, the death of loved ones is an oh-so real and devastating similarity.
One implication of Covid-19 that we are all experiencing is the social isolation.
It is the elderly who are most affected by this, however organisations such as Age Scotland would be quick to point out this is nothing new.
Perhaps a silver lining to this pandemic is that we will all have a willingness to empathise and support isolated people in future.
It should be said that there has already been observable benefits to this situation. There is a feeling of community togetherness: people supporting their neighbours and the establishment of community outreach groups. Not to mention local businesses going the extra mile to make sure people have access to food and other vital services.
A quick glance at the data from the Scottish Air Quality website also shows a fall in the level of air pollution in Crieff and Perth since the lockdown, which is undoubtedly good for the environment and for us.
So, what can we take away from this period of turmoil?
Perspective – our wonderful NHS and minimal personal sacrifice as our contribution – the importance of helping others and the invaluable work of volunteers.
Local businesses deserve our support throughout the year – their work goes beyond their contribution to the local economy.
Finally, we should consider how a slight change in our behaviour can have tremendous impact on our environment.
Callum Morgan.
3 Dochart Place,
Comrie.
Deal properly with culprits
Sir, – Due to some people sticking two fingers up to the current restrictions on movement through barbecues and sunbathing we, the law abiding majority, are threatened with not being able to exercise outside.
Yet again the government is avoiding the issue. Just deal with the perpetrators. There are an element who just don’t care about the rest of us, they will be the first to complain about any shortages in the NHS and demand to be seen immediately.
Steven Lyall.
24 Wyvis Road,
Dundee.
Playing blame game with virus
Sir, – There has been much discussion about how we should refer to the coronavirus. I suggest calling it the CCP virus for Chinese Communist Party.
Why? CCP officials knew about the virus in Wuhan, China, in early December.
Instead of acting responsibly, they spent weeks censoring information, arresting citizen journalists, and punishing and silencing doctors who tried to raise the issue.
Naming it the CCP virus avoids linking it to the Chinese people who themselves are victims of the CCP’s actions.
A study by the University of Southampton concluded if non-pharmaceutical interventions such as travel restrictions and social distancing had been enacted three weeks earlier, the virus infection rate in China could have been reduced by 95%.
On March 12, the shocking suggestion was made that the US Army may have brought the virus to Wuhan.
On March 19, CCP mouthpiece Xinhua News reported there were no new cases of the virus in Wuhan, in spite of evidence suggesting otherwise.
Having friends in Scotland who were born and grew up in China, I am not surprised by any of the CCP’s responses to the situation.
By using the name “CCP virus,” I hope more people will realise that the Chinese Communist Party put the lives and economic security of the Chinese people and the world at risk.
Stepan Zatkulak.
2/1 3 Townhead Terrace,
Paisley.
Rethink on post Covid economy
Sir, – After the pandemic the government will have to make hard choices to recover the economy from recession and reduce the deficit.
Superfluous expenditure will have to be cut. HS2 should be scrapped, a third runway at Heathrow postponed and the Barnett formula reviewed.
Decarbonising the economy, which a previous chancellor has said will cost over £1 trillion, should most certainly be abandoned.
During the pandemic the carbon economy saved us from disaster.
The NHS could not function without all sorts of plastics whose feedstock is oil.
The diesel engine powers all ambulances, back-up generators in hospitals, and the trucks which keep supermarkets stocked.
A complete rethink of priorities is required.
William Loneskie.
Amulree,
9 Justice Park,
Oxton.
Celebrate Virus’ Extermination
Sir, – As we all go through these surreal times of self-isolation and safe distancing in order to protect ourselves, the NHS, emergency services and others from this dreaded coronavirus it is only natural for heads to go down, spirits to drop and a shroud of gloom and despondency to envelop us.
However, there is a broad beam of brilliant light we need to focus on at the end of the tunnel and that is VE Day which will more than match the end of Second World War celebrations.
But this time the VE will stand for Virus Extermination, so let’s start thinking ahead to how we can celebrate this momentous event and may I start this process by suggesting beacons of fire from Land’s End to John o’ Groats which will serve a dual purpose.
One to bring a glorious new light back to revive our lives and a sense of normality once again and secondly to act as a funeral pyre to this dreadful disease which has wrought so much havoc upon our nation.
Ron Blanchard.
177 Kinghorn Road,
Burntisland.
No comparison with Charles
Sir, – Professor Swinton of Carnoustie compared Prince Charles going to Balmoral and the chief medical officer going to Fife (The CMO and the prince, Courier, April 7).
He states the CMO had to apologise whilst the prince did not.
The professor needs to get his facts correct. Prince Charles arrived at Balmoral on the weekend of March 21-22.
The UK lockdown of staying at home was not announced until the afternoon of March 23.
So Charles was free to travel prior to March 23.
The CMO flouted the rules well after lockdown.
So no comparison.
B Williamson.
Ferry Road,
Monifieth.
Corvid blimey, how amusing!
Sir, –The entire planet has been caught badly off-guard and no amount of hindsight from any political direction can alter that fact, although paradoxically we are told to “come together” by staying apart.
On a lighter note, I chuckled on spotting a recent spelling of “covid’ which had taken an avian mutation to the more sinister-sounding “corvid” – which translates as ‘crow-like’ in Linnaean taxonomy.
I guess Edgar Allan Poe would be amused.
Roderick Stewart.
Dronley House,
Dronley.
