We need hope, not political point-scoring

MOST people work together with good humour, so it’s just as well we don’t rely on politicians to set us a good example.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer keeps telling us he won’t use the pandemic as a political football, yet misses no opportunity to put one in the back of the net.

Pundits tell us PM Boris Johnson has been slow to react, yet fail to explain what they would have done differently, even with the help of their best friend, hindsight.

None of the great and the good understands we need to hear a positive message in these dark times. Their egos are clearly more important to them than the need to demonstrate that cool heads prevail in an emergency. We deserve better from our leaders.

STEVE FORSHAW, Desborough, Northants.

Fears over May election

AN INTERESTING poll tells us that 50 per cent of the population wants the May election postponed, and for good reasons.

The most important reason is that the people are concerned with the pandemic and as, electioneering is due to start early in April, some sort of restrictions are likely to be in place.

If the pandemic is the main worry, how will key issues like education, health (outside the virus), the economy (outside the pandemic) and the environment be discussed? How will the current Government be held to account?

There are physical problems too. How can you campaign with distancing in place? How can you go to a polling station? Mass postal voting has been suggested, but some are nervous about this. How can you hold a proper count with hundreds milling around? WILLIAM BALLANTINE,

Bo’ness, West Lothian.

Gritters steer clear

MY HOME is in a cul de sac and East Renfrewshire Council has refused to send in its gritter lorry to ensure the road surface is secure during this icy and dangerous period.

In this area there are 12 retired residents and they all need to go out for essential supplies. We are still allowed to do this.

Council policy is to avoid a cul de sac and it will not allow its driver to reverse into the area. There is plenty of room to turn a lorry comfortably. It must be a special kind of vehicle that does not have reversing mirrors/lights.

The local bin collection lorries manage to perform this manoeuvre every week without any problem. I tried to encourage the council to change its mind and avoid a possible injury, thus adding to the overload in my local NHS emergency department.

I wonder if I can claim a rebate on council tax?

GORDON MCCREADY, Eaglesham, Renfrewshire.

Take Government to task

I HOPE Dame Joan Bakewell does take legal action against the Government over its policy to delay the second dose of the vaccine.

Pfizer has stated there is no evidence its vaccine is as protective if a second dose is given more than 21 days after the first.

Delaying the second jab will not only affect people’s lives, but could mean millions of doses of the vaccine have been wasted.

J. BARKER, Manchester.

THOUGH I believe retrospectively changing the timing of the second vaccine injection to be misconceived, I am appalled that legal action is being threatened.

This would require evidence from the very experts whose time and skills need to be devoted to overcoming this virus rather than legal wrangling. Vaccine safety has been well established by the scientific bodies. The timing of inoculation is a question of effectiveness.

ROBERT KERR, Seaton, Devon.

Just wear a mask

I WORK in a DIY store and every day, along with colleagues and customers who care about the health and wellbeing of others, I am put at risk of Covid infection by selfish people who won’t wear a mask.

They think social distancing is a joke and snigger or are aggressive, abusive and awkward if I ask them to give me some space.

Even when I try to appeal to their compassionate side and explain I am caring for an elderly, vulnerable relative and don’t want to catch and pass on coronavirus, it means nothing to them.

Security guards should turn away shoppers who refuse to wear a mask. This is not only for the sake of the staff and customers, but to help protect the NHS.

Name and address supplied.

HOW dare shoppers who refuse to wear a mask jeopardise not just their own health, but that of others and the nation’s recovery (Mail)?

Face masks should not be viewed as a lockdown restriction, but as a necessary health measure. Any inconvenience is a small price to pay. Wearing a mask should be seen as our patriotic duty.

MARK ILES, Newark, Notts.

The hole story

THE JCB PotholePro, an all-inone pothole repair machine, is ingenious and efficient. But I fear it may fail to be a hit with council highways departments as it goes against the ethos of how our country’s roads are maintained.

First, the job has to be surveyed and assessed by a council official in a small van and with a large aerosol can of paint to mark the offending pothole.

A private contractor arrives with remote-controlled traffic lights 24 hours before work commences.

Then two men turn up to erect the necessary signs and cones in accordance with health and safety.

At 8am, three or four men arrive in a large truck. After reading the newspaper and having a cup of tea, they unload their shovels and a small road roller before knocking up some Tarmac.

They drag the job out before finishing at 3pm. The temporary lights remain for at least 24 hours after the work is completed, disrupting the traffic.

Why would councils need a brilliant machine to do the job? TONY CLAYTON,

Worksop, Notts.

Consumer power

THE regular consumer can assist the Government in further Brexit negotiations: simply stop buying any French goods, wine, cheese etc. but also Nissan cars owned by the French.

That may encourage them to let Scottish seafood pass more quickly to their shops. VINCENT SAUNDERS,

Troon, Ayrshire.