This system needs fixing...

WE KNOW the UK was very late going into lockdown and very, very late getting started attempting to develop its track and trace system.

Yet, in May, Boris Johnson said that by the end of June 100% of virus test results would be given to patients within 24 hours. Two months on the true figure is not 100%. In this last week it was up on the previous week, but only to an average of 24.3% from all sites. That, of course, is for those who managed to get a test, many cannot even get through to book one.

We were promised an app by mid-May, it didn’t happen. So we were promised a world beating track and trace system, that seems not to have got close, so now we are promised a “moon shot” programme of daily testing for everyone in the country.

This is all jam tomorrow. The “moon shot” is considered by scientists as unworkable and estimated as costing £100bn a year, which is two-thirds of the entire cost of the NHS.

What is needed is a good contact tracing system, not a government promising the moon. Even Matt Hancock recognises it isn’t working and people can’t get a test.

Without a test everything else fails, we will not have good tracking and tracing, we won’t be able to protect older people, our hospitals, our schools, the economy. We must fix this system and fix it now.

Anne Qualter via email NO ANIMAL SUFFERING

BRITAIN is renowned as a nation of animal lovers – and many people would go to any length to ensure their pets are healthy and happy. Thankfully, access to vet care when our companions are sick or injured is usually quick and easy.

Sadly, it’s a very different story for animals in developing countries, including working animals. A severe shortage of vet services means too many animals must endure pain and suffering without the vital care they need. In Zimbabwe, for instance, only 340 vets serve the entire country.

SPANA believes that all animals deserve the right to high quality veterinary care, including working horses, donkeys, elephants and camels, which transport goods, people and water in the world’s poorest communities. Our vets are often their only hope, providing free treatment that simply wouldn’t be available otherwise.

This World Animal Day (Oct 4), we ask for your support to ensure no animal has to suffer in silence. Visit www.spana.org/worldanimal day and help us provide working animals overseas with the same care and compassion as our own much-loved pets here in Britain.

Geoffrey Dennis, SPANA (Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad) THIS IS HORRIFYING

BLUE Cross is horrified about the latest social media craze where pet owners are sharing videos and images of themselves getting up close to their pet and surprising them when they are asleep or removing their food when eating.

Using hashtags #invadeyourdogs personalspace and #invadeyour petsspace there have been half a million views of these posts so far.

Examples we’ve seen include making loud noises next to sleeping pets to film how they react, getting into a pet’s bed when they are sleeping and waking them suddenly when face to face.

While we are sure the intent is innocent fun, it is vital pet owners understand that this is a potentially dangerous activity and extremely traumatic and stressful for most pets who may go on to develop serious behaviour problems.

Claire Stallard Animal Behaviourist, Blue Cross