Don’t kick the can down the road, let Covid play out

Sir, – So we now have final proof that the Scottish Government has lost an oar and is now rowing in circles.

The new restrictions may fit with some of the health statisticians’ models, but they fly in the face of reason.

There seems to be a belief that some form of delay, with its accompanying total economic collapse, will solve the problem.

There is no magic bullet visible on the horizon, if a vaccine does come it is almost certain to share with the flu vaccine its ability to counter last year’s strains but not this year’s.

And it will be at best partially tested and may join other pharmaceutical products as being a step taken too soon and too far.

I try to reduce risk with online shopping and avoidance of crowded bars and public transport. But it should be my choice to do so, particularly when the evidence is not at all clear and very often contradictory.

I belong to a “vulnerable group” on age grounds, but do not wish to spend my last active years “holed up” in a vain effort to protect me or others who choose to get out and about. These actions are destroying our major economic earners – tourism, the arts and entertainment. The longer we kick the can down the road the longer this will go on.

Come on Nicola and Jason – face reality and let things play out naturally. If individuals want to stay away from family, friends and holidays for fear of Covid they’re already free to do so without a nanny state trying to micro-manage our movements.

Paul Croft. Balnaguard, Pitlochry.