We don’t need permission to get out, go back to work and avoid ruin

sir – In English law, everything that is not illegal is lawful, in contrast with European law, wherein everything that is not expressly permitted is forbidden.

We have, as a nation, always mistrusted the top-down permissions and certainties in law and society beloved of the EU. Indeed, we tend to tolerate uncertainty with a native stoicism that I believe arises from faith in our Common Law – that the law of the land will see us right in the end.

On this basis, I repudiate some unions’ demands for predictive certainties in the midst of the present coronavirus crisis. Who can say what will happen next? Some things are entirely predictable, such as the economic catastrophe that awaits us if we don’t get back to work.

The progress of the epidemic is much less certain, and potentially manageable if we all observe the advice about hand-washing and social distancing, along with the things we have learnt in the past 10 weeks.

Let us stop messing about. It’s time for us to be as stoical and as sane as our forebears!

Julia Alexander

London W1

sir – Gerard Lyons and Paul Ormerod (Comment, May 17) hit the spot exactly in saying that it is the psychological state of individuals that will be the key to economic recovery.

The thing most likely to bring back individual confidence is restoration of normally functioning health and dental services. I can live with the fact that my dog can get a haircut this week even though my husband can’t – it’s quite funny. But my dog could also have dental work or cancer surgery…

Jane O’nions

Sevenoaks, Kent

sir – The Government has successfully petrified a large proportion of the population into thinking that if they leave their front door, they will catch coronavirus and die of it.

Further, the futile demands of the teaching unions only to return to work in a risk-free environment echo the feelings of many, who believe they can create a sterile home or workplace. This is impossible, which is fortunate, as our immune systems require stimuli to be effective.

The sooner the nation returns to normal the better. The majority will develop at least partial immunity – probably the best one can hope for.

David Nunn FRCS

West Malling, Kent

sir – When the lockdown eases, some public and private toilets will still not be open, in shops, bars and public buildings. Surely this needs addressing urgently.

For a start, these are places to wash our hands, which we are told to do regularly. Moreover, many mothers with toddlers, older people and the disabled need these facilities, frequently in some cases.

By all means allow fewer people in at a time, but not none at all.

Chris Hunt

Swanley, Kent