Beach safety a concern when lockdown is lifted

I AM a senior beach lifeguard in Porthcawl and have been working as a lifeguard for the past 11 years.

I am worried that if the lockdown ends during the summer, beaches will be busier than they have ever been before.

Many lifeguards across the UK have narrowly missed out on the job retention scheme. This means that many of the most experienced lifeguards are now having to decide between finding work elsewhere to stay financially secure or hang on for as long as possible in these uncertain times because they know they will be needed if lockdown ends.

Lifeguards across the UK have come together to create the Lifeguard Solidarity Group.

We have been writing to MPs and news outlets to help us and share our story.

Arran Bluck

Porthcawl

Come clean over testing decisions

WHY do Mark Drakeford and Vaughan Gething continue to cover the backs of the Westminster Government?

They should be straight with the people of Wales that the only reason they have not initiated an effective test/track/trace programme in Wales is that Westminster, intent on “herd immunity” and having initially delayed setting up any such programme, gazumped Wales’ 5,000 Roche tests.

Since then it has controlled centrally in England the amount of test material available for all four nations, so as to attempt for publicity purposes to hit Matt Hancock’s 100,000-a-day English tests target.

What is released to Wales are totally inadequate quantities. We know that only around 750 tests were completed across Wales last week, and in the Senedd, the Public Health Wales chief executive admitted that Wales’ total allocation was 900 tests.

So why do the dithering twosome continue to make excuses, initially setting a 9,000-a-day test target, abandoning that quoting unspecific “scientific evidence”, refusing to test care home workers and restricting NHS worker tests, when it’s clear that Boris and Hancock are riding roughshod over Wales’ devolved responsibility for health?

This kowtowing to a totally England-orientated Tory autocracy gambling with the lives of the population of Wales has to stop. Come clean, the two of you! Alwyn Evans Whitchurch, Cardiff

Nature’s Way

AS COVID-19 hangs like the Sword of Damocles over our heads,

I’m horrified as saints and sinners are struck down dead.

But I don’t despair for I know that time will ever flow.

For nothing lives but something dies each day,

And nothing dies but something lives, as is Nature’s way.

Bryan D Prescott Caerphilly

Promises is all we get from Boris

THE Government has missed its testing target of 100,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of April for the sixth day running.

Environment Secretary George Eustice announced at the Downing Street press conference that 97,029 people were tested on Thursday. It is a rise on Wednesday when testing levels plummeted below 70,000, the same day that Boris Johnson vowed to hit 200,000 tests a day by the end of May. Some of the surgical gowns ordered from Turkey amid a row over the procurement of personal protective equipment for the NHS does not meet British safety standards, the UK government has said.

The gowns were among a batch of 400,000 sourced by ministers last month and the RAF flew out to collect them when they were not shipped on the expected date. But it has emerged 2,400 of the 67,000 gowns that have so far arrived in the UK have failed quality checks.

Only 4,500 have been given to the NHS. Boris Johnson’s government is full of promises and no delivery, just like the Brexit promise that got them elected.

Andrew Nutt

Bargoed

If the lockdown ends during the summer, beaches will be busier than they have ever been before Arran Bluck

UK virus response handled poorly

I AM writing to express my extreme concern over the poor handling of the Covid-19 pandemic by both the Welsh Parliament and the Westminster Government.

I say this as someone who was born and bred in the Rhondda Valley but who now lives in Fremantle, Western Australia. I visit the Rhondda regularly and I have many friends and family living there. I am concerned for their welfare.

Western Australia (WA) has approximately the same population as Wales but their approach to the pandemic is very different with the statistics speaking for themselves.

As of May 9, 2020 there has been 552 cases of coronavirus in WA with nine deaths. In contrast, Wales has had just over 11,000 cases and almost 1100 deaths. The mortality rates are 1.6% and 10% respectively. The reason for this massive difference is the early actions taken by both the state and Commonwealth governments here in Australia.

Apart from the usual social distancing measures, the authorities moved quickly to shut down borders both internally and externally.

Also, quarantining of international arrivals and interstate arrivals has been in place for at least two months. Testing and tracking has been another big part of the response. Whilst these and other measures were initially viewed as somewhat draconian, the bottom line is that they have worked and worked very effectively.

The contrast with what has happened (or rather not happened!) in Wales and the UK is staggering and extremely dangerous. And this all due to the poor response of both government. It is disgraceful and unforgivable.

To add to your woes, the authorities are now talking about winding back the lockdown measures. This is blatantly the wrong thing to do and in fact, you should be tightening the measures in order to get on top of this very serious pandemic.

Jeff Gunningham Fremantle, Western Australia

Step this way and help beat disease

DIABETES UK has launched the Step At Home 30-minute challenge – a way to stay active during lock

down by stepping around your home for 30 minutes a day.

You can split your steps throughout the day, or even dance them to your favourite tune; and you can do it alone, with a virtual buddy or someone you live with. If you’re up for the challenge, we’ll support you every step of the way. We’ll be posting regular #StepAtHome tips to get you started, and weekly mini challenges to get your feet moving.

You can do it entirely your way – from taking to your staircase to climb the equivalent of the Empire State Building, to getting the kids involved with a fancy dressed up challenge.

So, grab you trainers, slippers or sliders and join us to #StepAtHome towards a healthier you. The money you raise will can help provide vital support and advice to people living with and at risk of diabetes and their loved ones during this uncertain time. The mini challenge runs until June 30, is free to join and there is no minimum sponsorship. You can sign up on Facebook: https://www.facebook. comevents/251648559356771/?event_ time_id=251708829350744

For more info get in touch at onemillionsteps@diabetes.org.uk

Dai Williams,

National Director, Diabetes UK Cymru