Sir, – In Saturday’s Courier, restrictions on what we can, and cannot, do during the lockdown were listed.
Under “can I go for a drive” it stated that while we are urged to only use open spaces near home where possible, none of the laws in force forbid the use of vehicles to travel to a location to exercise.
I do have a local park in walking distance but, having been there recently, I find that the exercise is spoiled by the need to stay alert to avoid the dog mess.
For this reason I have been driving less than five minutes from home to Pathhead Sands to walk, either on the sand or grass.
Having a sore hip I find that this is kinder than walking on hard footpaths.
At no time when I have been there have I encountered any more than a handful of people so I did not deem this as a hazardous thing to do.
Today I was approached by a policeman when I was sitting in my car with the door open for fresh air after having walked for more than 30 minutes.
I explained why I was there to be told that this was not acceptable and the police had instructions to stop this occurring.
I advised him that I understood that I was acting within the law but this seemed to fall on deaf ears.
I was also advised that I could be liable to a fine if I was caught again, unless I was only using my car to go shopping or collect a prescription.
It appears to me that we require further clarification on this matter if we are to remain law-abiding citizens.
In the meantime I will either have to pound the pavements or dig out my heavy boots to trail through the dog mess.
Colin Cant.
42 Pottery Street,
Kirkcaldy.
Economic crash was inevitable
Sir, – As Covid-19 continues to reshape the world, it will be the progenitor of a new worldwide economic system.
This change was beginning to take shape before the pandemic.
If Covid-19 had occured at a time when the world economy was firm and adaptable the shock, although sudden, could have been inhibited.
Had this been the case, governments could have discussed problems together and the economic interruption would only have been transitory.
After a brief shock lives would go back to normal.
However this is not the world we live in.
Covid-19 is showing the formational defects of an economic system whose cracks have been covered up over the preceding decades as they have been regularly disintegrating.
Economic disparity, ecological annihilation, and bribery are the inevitable consequences of a one-sided economic structure.
Finance ministers, central bankers and the financial aristocracy want to return the economy to what it was before Covid-19.
However the problem with pursuing these policies is global capitalism itself.
The world economy was still suffering from the crashes of 2000 and 2008-2009.
Since the 2008 bailout big businesses and governments have “resolved” all their economic difficulties by borrowing indefinitely at zero interest rates.
This money inflated the stock market.
This caused a runaway bubble which had no basis in the underlying economy.
The measures taken from the 2008 crash created the conditions that made another one inevitable.
Alan Hinnrichs.
2 Gillespie Terrace,
Dundee.
Sweden may have right idea
Sir, – My extended family includes French and Swedes so I’ve seen their reaction to their nation’s handling of the pandemic.
France’s total lockdown backed by savage policing, fines and jail is bitterly resented.
In contrast, Sweden’s pragmatic approach has been hugely popular.
The Swedes have avoided both isolation and economic ruin, relying on calibrated precautions and isolating only the most vulnerable.
Its borders are open as are its schools, businesses, restaurants, shops, sports grounds and parks.
The fact is that without knowing how many were exposed and fought off the virus, the value of social-isolation controls is far from clear.
It’s even possible the best way to “flatten the curve” is to allow the hale and hearty to mix normally and isolate only the frail and sick.
After all, this is the first time we’ve quarantined healthy people. Europe’s Centre for Political Economy agrees: “Lockdown is an untested, deeply illiberal, niche theory. It’s not Sweden that’s conducting a mass experiment – it’s everyone else.”
Dr John Cameron.
10 Howard Place,
St Andrews.
Secure borders to battle virus
Sir, – The country is in lockdown and people are confined to their homes for 23 hours per day to avoid spreading the virus, thousands have already died, yet still dozens of flights arrive daily at Heathrow, and probably other airports, from all over the world, and apparently there is no monitoring, testing or tracking of those entering the country.
Considering that securing our borders was stated to be one of the main reasons for Brexit, is it not about time that the Westminster Government got on with the job, at this time, of all others, when this would legitimately be in the national interest?
Les Mackay.
5 Carmichael Gardens,
Dundee.
PPE: ready and willing to help
Sir, – We constantly hear from senior politicians that there is plenty PPE and that the problem is logistics in getting it to frontline staff.
As a local removal company with 10 vans in lockdown, I’m sure I’m echoing the thoughts of others, in asking why aren’t we being given the call to assist in the deliveries of these vital supplies. It begs the question, is logistics the problem or is it the availability of PPE?
Ally Leuchars.
Forfar Removals,
Suttieside Road,
Forfar.
Oxygen systems from old aircraft
Sir, – With but a cursory knowledge of air-compressors, oxygen re-breathing and SCUBA equipment, it seems to me that cannibalising aircraft parts for oxygen ventilation sets is an approach worth investigating.
Commercial aircraft are grounded and some may never fly again.
Could they be stripped for oxygen cylinders, flow regulators, oxygen distribution piping and their drop-down face masks?
Kenneth Miln.
6 Swallow Apts,
Union St,
Monifieth.
Lessons are for government
Sir, – I see that failure to recognise the importance of the Declaration of Arbroath as a historical document is somehow the fault of the union.
However, when I was at school in Fife, I do not recall any history lessons profiling the Declaration of Arbroath, and I believe this situation is largely unchanged today.
So if Scotland’s schools are not interested in teaching relevant Scottish history, why should this be blamed upon union governance ?
Realistically, I think most people are far more interested in Scotland’s present and future.
In any case, since education is a devolved subject, school curricula should be addressed to John Swinney.
Derek Farmer.
Knightsward Farm,
Anstruther.
