Is it now my duty to dob in families on the school run?
■ Home secretary Priti Patel said she would report neighbours ignoring ‘ruleof-six’ coronavirus measures and that two families of four stopping to talk on the street breaches rules against ‘mingling’ (Metro, Wed).
Near me, there are two families with a total of five primary school-aged children. I’ve seen them walking to school together, the children obviously delighted to be back to normal after the lockdown and the two mums chatting. Seemingly, according to Ms Patel, not only is this now illegal, but it’s my duty to report them to the police.
I’m sure she thinks she’s coming across as hard but fair – the stern headmistress – but actually, she has no grasp of the realities of everyday life. We all recognise there have to be rules, but implement them with at least a touch of understanding, please.
Nigel Savill, Northolt
■ I wonder if Priti Patel would report cabinet members and members of the prime minister’s advisory entourage for breaking social distancing rules?
Eric Brooks, North Shields
■ My father’s generation fought for freedom in World War II – so many lives wasted, given how we are no longer free to mingle and are expected to grass-up our neighbours.
Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island
■ I think it’s about time some of the 18-25 age group stopped moaning about how awful it’s been for them over the past few months (hasn’t it been for everyone?) with no parties etc, and just be thankful that they weren’t that age in 1939 when most of them would have gone to war, many of them never to return. Carry on and keep to the rules until everyone can relax again.
Jean, Middlesex
■ I visited a Wetherspoon pub, where my name and phone number were recorded by an employee at the entrance. When I left about 50 minutes later, I asked if she wanted to record my departure time. ‘No’, was the answer – only the entry time is required. I asked, ‘What if someone entering in 10 minutes subsequently tests positive? You won’t know that I wasn’t on the premises.’ She said test and trace would only contact customers who entered after the infected person. Am I missing something here?
Laura, Bishop Auckland
■ I totally agree with Valerie from London (Metro, Wed). We really are a second-rate nation, and will get worse when we come out of the EU.
We are governed by a moneyed, oldschool elite who only pay lip service to what the country needs. They are only really concerned with the continuity of their ‘old money’.
I have to admit, though, one thing they are very good at is discrediting any opposition.
Steve, Barnsley
■ Is there any truth in the rumour that the next cabinet meeting will be held in Wandsworth – in the boardroom of Young’s Brewery – and the first item on the agenda will be ‘organising a booze-up’?
Martin Jenkins, London