What has happened to fair play and sense?
SINCE the coronavirus began to be taken seriously in the UK, I have witnessed appallingly selfish behaviour by many, many Mancunians – behaviour which, I know, has been mirrored across the country.
I refer, of course, to the panic buying of a range of household items. To the best of my knowledge, no one, including the Prime Minister, has yet suggested that there is any likelihood of toilet rolls, hand wash, tissues, tinned food, pasta, rice, washing-up liquid etc being in short supply. Nonetheless, a mania for buying limitless quantities of these items has swept the country – with the net result that there have been, and continue to be, shortages of all these items.
I’m sure many of the lessdetermined, less-aggressive residents will have gone without, while others stash them in cupboards, garages and probably their car boots.
Why can’t these selfish morons understand that if everyone shopped in the way they did, prepandemic, then there would be enough to go around. It’s not rocket science.
This “every man for himself” attitude currently being displayed by countless Mancunians is the polar opposite of that described by Tony Walsh in his much-lauded prose-poem, written after the Manchester Arena tragedy in 2017.
He wrote about Mancunians “standing strong together” (not alone!) and ‘fighting back with Greater Manchester spirit.’ By spirit, I don’t think he meant ‘making sure you’re alright, Jack.’
What has happened to common sense, fair play, consideration for others?
They don’t cost a penny, unlike a mountain of toilet rolls.
Graham Moore, Chorlton
Be wary of Trump deal
VIEWPOINTS (March 24) was dedicated to reactions to the coronavirus crisis with calls to recognise the overlooked workers who actually do the work that serves us all; concerns about its global domination of the news obscuring bigger and longer term political, economic, environmental and climate issues; a dig at the Royal Family and a request for calm.
Whatever you think about the tone of the latter, the data graphic comparing the virus to history’s deadliest epidemics given few pages later is sobering.
Of course, if it’s your loved one or elderly neighbour who is infected or dies it is crushing, but as the article points out, there have been far higher numbers killed in absolute terms, and in geographical terms some populations have seen not only decimation, but perhaps halving. The irresponsible wishreality pronouncements of President Trump, suggesting America will be back in business in a month tell us about his priorities and grasp of reality. It also suggests a selfishness that proudly disdains collaborating with others. Our government should be wary of getting into bed with such a delinquent and as T. Elones implies, we should be ‘on their case’whichever way we voted on Brexit! N. Tope, Rusholme
Stop selling stuff online
I AM at home working due to Covid19 pandemic.
On my Facebook feed I regularly see Facebook Marketplace - people selling items online. I am a member of most groups covering Salford, Bolton, Irlam, Monton, Farnworth and Stockport.
The public are still advertising furniture for sale or for local pick up of items they are wanting rid of from their homes.
I have contacted each and every Facebook selling site, to ask them to stop these adverts. I have contacted every individual on Facebook who is selling or giving away furniture to stop as there is a lock down and people are dying.
Essential travel is only for food or medical supplies – not picking up or delivering a sofa, TV etc.
I am being laughed at, receiving abuse from these individuals (and their friends) and I am at a loss what to do. Even though most of the public are staying at home, there is a lack of common sense and individuals selling these items do not understand that this virus is spread by humans, as the virus cannot spread on its own.
Julie Gemmell-Ball, Salford
It’s time for ration books
THE time has come for the introduction of ration books of some kind. The public were asked kindly to not panic buy but that fell on deaf ears. For weeks the large supermarkets were happy to make a fast buck at the expense of the weak and elderly population.
All too late the supermarkets limited the amounts each person could purchase of certain essential items such as sanitiser. The problem with that is that it allows people to go straight back into the store and purchase the same amount again.
Everyone is aware the lives of the elderly are more at risk than most from this virus and should avoid contact with others as much as possible. As a gesture of goodwill some supermarkets decided to allot one hour on certain days for the elderly alone to shop. Sadly the vultures have already stripped the shelves bare. As things are getting worse the only answer is to issue ration books with vouchers for the items people seem to be pillaging the most. If the supermarkets got their acts together it wouldn’t be necessary.
Jack Haynes, Swinton