Many missed opportunities to get ahead of the virus

Sir, – It is clear the UK as a whole and Scotland’s coronavirus containment strategy has failed.

If the vaccination program does not reduce the number of cases soon there could well be huge discontent by the general public.

I have commented upon South Korea’s response several times previously and am afraid will again.

The total number of cases is 69,651, with 1,165 deaths.

Today there were 537 cases and 25 deaths.

It makes the UK look like a disaster area.

I am, of course, in South Korea and the response here was better because:

1) Entry testing from April. 2) An effective selfquarantine system was put in place.

3) Effective tracking and tracing was put in place

4) Overseas holidays were stopped, mainly due to quarantine on return

5) Testing was made available to anyone on request.

The UK could have done some or all of these but chose not to do so.

There has been no restriction on freedom of movement here at any time but people do generally follow the government rules.

There are of course restrictions, particularly in the leisure/hospitality field but public transport has been working normally throughout and the economy is beginning to recover.

When a case is identified details of where they have been and times are sent by SMS to all mobiles in the city and if anyone was where the case was at that same time they are invited to have a test.

Recently the “English” virus is getting a lot of adverse publicity here.

John Mckay.

Busan, South Korea.