Sir, – In January Health Secretary Matt Hancock confidently asserted, based apparently on his medical and scientific advice and our “world-leading test for coronavirus”, that the UK was “well prepared” and “well equipped” for any outbreak.
The risk then to our 66 million population was considered “low” by the chief medical officer.
Maybe at No 10’s next press conference Mr Hancock could inform us if he has regretted accepting that advice.
The Department of Health does not run our health service directly.
So did the man in charge of the NHS, its CEO Sir Simon Steven – who has been largely invisible apart from one appearance at the press conference – instruct his procurement staff, on or immediately after January 23/24, to order up large quantities of masks, PPE, test kits, oxygen and ventilators, sufficient even for a “low risk” scenario?
Were these orders increased in February each time the risk was revised upwards; and did other public bodies like Public Health England, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and their Scottish equivalents ensure that care homes were covered by the quantities ordered?
Finally, could the CQC etc not have requested relevant data several weeks ago from the UK’s care homes, to enable it to publish at least indicative statistics to complement those of the NHS for hospitals?
John Birkett.
12 Horseleys Park,
St Andrews.
Care service needs overhaul
Sir, – I am a retired council home carer with 20 years of service and I would like to applaud all the carers who do a very difficult job.
We hear all the time about lack of funding etc, but in my experience it’s not all about money.
It is about the way the service is run.
For example, service users having different carers all the time and two carers coming into an area when one would do.
People deserve to have continuity and some respect.
The whole way the service is delivered needs overhauled.
I only hope once we get through these terrible and difficult times, that all the people who work in the care sector and NHS, police, fire, shop workers, lorry drivers etc get the recognition they deserve.
They are all heroes.
Elizabeth Kintrea.
101 Main Street,
Coaltown of Balgonie.
Scotland could not cope alone
Sir, – When we emerge from this hellish coronavirus experience, the true financial cost to Scotland of coping must be revealed.
I have no doubt the figure will confirm that had Scotland been independent, an SNP government would have been totally incapable, in addition to the existing dire state of the economy, to manage without massive financial aid.
No matter what the final cost will be, supporters of separation will never admit the inability to cope financially, preferring Scots to exist in penury for decades just to prove a point and to achieve some sort of misguided “freedom”.
I have no doubt that the cost will make even the most staunch nationalist agree that separation is dead.
Douglas Cowe.
68 Alexander Avenue,
Kingseat.
The capitalist system works
Sir, – I guess Alex Bell does not like Boris Johnson; he probably does not like the Conservative Party either (Boris avoids a sticky wicket, Courier April 16).
As far as the coronavirus crisis is concerned, any government is damned if it does and is damned if it doesn’t, whatever approach it takes.
As for general policies, I reckon that all civilised human beings want to see fairness and justice for everybody.
I vote Tory; I do so because I think the Tories’ policies can deliver just that and other parties cannot.
The Socialists’ ideals are faultless, but their attempts at applying these ideals to everyday living have failed because they do not take human nature into account.
The great danger is that a Socialist state can devolve very rapidly into a Communist state.
The crux of the matter is human nature and that the Conservatives take into account.
It’s all very well taking from the rich to give to the poor, but, when there are no rich left, what does a government do?
The capitalist or free enterprise system seems inefficient compared with the beautiful symmetry of an ideal Socialist state. Strange to say, capitalism works; Socialism doesn’t.
Of course, human greed and selfishness must be kept in check.
But a capitalist system can be devised which looks after the weak, while encouraging the strong to succeed and provide the means to help the weak.
Socialism encourages not hard work and enterprise, but laziness and dependence on state.
We have now had many generations of “the lads frae the tap o’ the hill, who’ve never worked and never will”, as they say in Dundee.
As for Boris, he is my kind of Tory – optimistic, ambitious for Britain and loyal to his country.
George K McMillan.
5 Mount Tabor Avenue,
Perth.
Boris still to face day of reckoning
Sir, – I agreed with nearly all of Alex Bell’s commentary regarding the PM, except I think he is a little premature in coming to the judgment that Boris will escape condemnation for his efforts during the early phase of this outbreak.
This (Covid pandemic) is a marathon not a sprint, so the PM is far from off the hook, yet.
I could see Mr Raab, Mr Hancock, Mr Gove and Ms Patel, being hung out to take the flak and public outcry caused by this.
But ultimately, the buck stops at Boris, even if he is sick.
Boris appointed this Cabinet, if they are not up to the job then it is his responsibility.
Having a mass clear-out, otherwise known as a reshuffle, means he got it wrong but it does not absolve him of responsibility.
There have been calls to schedule an independent inquiry into this pandemic when it’s all over, but I would support it starting now to gather the vital evidence and data rather than wait the typical lag time of three or four years after the event to start.
It is serious enough to warrant all witnesses to be mandated to attend and be under oath.
The people who have and will have died because of Covid-19 deserve it.
Alistair Ballantyne.
Birkhill,
Angus.
Dogs on leads at all times, please
Sir, – The Scottish SPCA has urged people to keep their dogs under control since cases of sheep worrying and wild animals such as deer being savaged or killed have increased.
Seemingly more people are exercising their dogs using rural routes during the coronavirus pandemic.
Every dog owner claims his pet is under control off the lead but this is a fallacy as can be seen from the number of children being seriously injured and disfigured as well as adults.
Pet owners should be reminded that farmers are legally entitled to shoot a dog which is attacking their livestock.
Appealing to the dog owner’s conscience is a waste of time.
Legislation should be introduced that dogs should be on the lead at all times.
This would also stop the excuse when fouling occurs and is left. “It wisnae my dog.”
Clark Cross.
138 Springfield Road,
Linlithgow.
