Trust the military to show the way to get things done

WHAT A stark contrast has been shown between the Army and the civilian officialdom during the Covid emergency.

Everything we have asked of the bureaucrats has either never happened, cost us five times what it should have or been an organisational disaster. The Army has responded to every challenge with smooth efficiency.

Now that a vaccine has been discovered and manufactured we all await its rapid deployment and use. Out of government comes the usual tsunami of promises – but a few dozen injections. Only if it is tasked to the boys in cammo will most of us ever see a needle- tip before summer.

Meanwhile, the misery just goes on and on. Boris Johnson has achieved his Brexit victory – well done. When this other crisis is over there must be time for a root- andbranch cull of the proven useless articles on fat salaries, lush pension pots and a presumed job for life.

THERE is a small online company manufacturing mugs with the faces of the great and the good on them. One has the image of Professor Chris Whitty.

I shall buy one to hang from the branch of a tree in the garden about 20 yards from my study window. This is because I retain a .22 air rifle and need a bit of target practice.

AS EVER the emergency of Covid has brought out the best and the worst. Certain mega- rich commercial giants have delved deeply into their private wealth to help their staff when the business was closed down by the panickers’ often quite unnecessary penalties.

Regardless of government furloughs with nominal pay, they have stuck loyally by their staff and done all they can to help those who have loyally worked for them to get through the dark days.

Others, among them the chain of beauty salons where the CO goes for her regular MOTs, have cast their hard- working girls out into the wilderness without a bean while swanning off to their sunny villas, yachts or exclusive islands.

When it is all over, let us hope the identities of these selfish nasties are exposed. Loyalty, as I learnt long ago in a uniform, is a two- way street.