Urgent need to learn from mistakes

WATCHING Boris Johnson moving through rows of people, bumping elbows in a recent, choreographed display of self publicity and congratulation for the success of the vaccine programme, really turned my stomach.

In typical fashion he is quick to be seen as the good guy and to jump on the bandwagon of success which, in fact, is largely down to the brilliance of the scientific world and the dedication and professionalism of our NHS staff and others. They, not Boris deserve all our credit.

Contrast that to his and his ministers’ refusal to acknowledge any of the countless mistakes that have been made and which were not, as has been claimed, all down to the fact that Covid was a new infection.

Missing COBRA meetings and not taking action quickly enough at the outset, the PPE and Test and Trace scandal and other accusations of chumocracy are but a few examples.

The latest is our Prime Minister’s refusal to initiate an enquiry into the pandemic, in itself, an insult to all those who have been lost to Covid. Over 110,000 and counting.

More importantly though, in view of the fact that there is an increasingly held view that Covid, like influenza, will become an annual illness, we need to prepare and quickly put right the mistakes that were made this time, so that we can better deal with any new infection that might arise.

An immediate public enquiry should be initiated for this reason alone and the reintroduction of the Threats, Hazards, Resilience and Contingency Committee, disbanded by the Prime Minister, six months before Covid struck the UK, would be a good start!

Terry Lee Calverton certain circumstances”. Will there be clear guidelines published so that it is not just a decision on a whim by the attendant?

When you need to go to the toilet there’s quite often not time to wait around discussing it with the toilet attendant, who may then decide you aren’t eligible for free use anyway.

If the council decide to go ahead with this proposal, I think free use should at least be for everyone with a bus pass (in case you’re wondering - no I don’t yet qualify for one).

Have they also considered that this will quite possibly discourage people from using the toilets, and will encourage some to find a quiet corner somewhere instead?

This is not the way to encourage people (anyone, not just older people) back into the city when we are freed from lockdown.

Jill Parsons West Bridgford