We must circuit break right now
The Government has always said it is following the science to control this virus but it did not lock down in March as early as the scientists recommended.
Now we learn that more than three weeks ago, the country’s most senior scientific advisers recommended a two-week circuit break national lockdown to halt the surge in the R rate, which once again the Government ignored.
As a result, the number of cases has soared in the last few weeks.
In the interests of both public health and the economy, I think there should be a nationwide lockdown for three weeks, not two, as there has been a large rise in hospital admissions.
Valerie Crews, Beckenham, Kent
PM Boris Johnson claims he rejected the calls of SAGE advisers for a two- week circuit- breaker because it would be too extreme and would damage the economy. But dead people don’t spend money, Mr Johnson.
And can someone please explain why we have Housing and Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick briefing on health matters when we already have a minister in that role? Or has the PM realised after seven months what most of the public knew already, that Matt Hancock is incompetent?
J R Williams, East London
Keir Starmer’s backing for a circuit- breaker, following the advice of the country’s top scientists, makes far more sense than Johnson’s half-baked ideas. Whilst many Tory MPs don’t
want any large-scale shutdowns, I suppose their theory is the potential loss of life of people from this deadly disease at the bottom of the heap is a price worth paying as long as the rich can carry on making money.
Levelling up? Don’t make me laugh, the Tories never change. John Sedgwick, Tamworth, Staffs
Am I alone in growing tired of politicians, councillors and numerous experts all having a go at each other about how to solve the problem of coronavirus?
The fact is Boris Johnson, Keir Starmer and the rest have no real idea as to how to bring the pandemic to a close.
Starmer has a go at Johnson but if he was PM, he would do no better than Boris Johnson, because coronavirus is a new disease which is wreaking havoc worldwide.
How much better it would be if the politicians joined forces to help tackle this virus. It will never happen, but it’s a nice thought. Colin Bower, Nottingham
Having watched Keir Starmer’s speech on the need for a circuit break, I feel this is the only sensible way forward. It’s convenient how Number 10 managed to leak the SAGE recommendations after the PM’s big announcement on Monday. If there was a General Election this December 12, the Tories would lose power. James Edge, Dereham, Norfolk
I agree with Sir Keir about the need for a circuit-breaker. Even that may not be sufficient to stop the surge, but with infections and hospital admissions rising, a different strategy is needed.
I suspect the majority of the public would accept these stricter measures to protect lives. Amanda Brown
Pulham St Mary, Norfolk
On learning of the PM’s latest initiative to impose ill-conceived ideas on English regions with local leaders far better informed than he, why was I reminded of the Smokey Robinson & The Miracles’ classic Tears Of A Clown?
Keith Baty, Carlisle