A Covid test? Certainly, just book a slot online and fill up the petrol tank

SIR – I have been offered an appointment for minor surgery at a hospital just six miles away. Excellent!

However, I must have a Covid-19 test before arriving at the hospital, and have been offered an appointment at a drive-through centre in Ipswich, 108 miles away. Not so excellent.

David Vincent

Cranbrook, Kent

SIR – Covid testing came up in conversation. Three of the group worked in large hospitals. One physiotherapist said she was tested every Monday, as were all members of staff.

Another physio, despite being on the Covid-intensive ward at the height of the pandemic, had only been tested once for antibodies.

The third, a doctor, had not been tested at all.

If testing is that patchy among front-line staff, what hope is there for the general population?

Jan Denbury

Bradford-on-avon, Wiltshire SIR – Once again lockdown has been imposed on Trafford. The rise in cases was 84 in a population of approximately 243,000, in an area of 41 square miles. That is one case in every 2,893 residents.

The purpose of test and trace is to contact people who have possibly contracted the virus, with a view to their isolation. Is it really beyond the wit of man to identify the households with the virus and their contacts, in order to request them to quarantine, instead of expecting the whole of Trafford to lock down yet again, causing exasperation and massive inconvenience to its citizens, and devastation to local businesses?

It’s time we came to terms with the fact that, with the number of cases and deaths falling, we should get over the fear inculcated by the Government and scientists, and pick up the threads of normal life.

Marilyn Parrott

Altrincham, Cheshire SIR – Both my husband and I are eligible for flu vaccinations this winter and indeed are being urged to have them “to help relieve pressure on the NHS and save lives”. So I rang our doctor’s surgery (which is effectively closed) to see how the system would work once the vaccinations are available later this month.

The receptionist said she could only add our names to the list. There were no plans in place to vaccinate patients, as the doctors were only conducting telephone consultations, other than in emergencies. I did query how a vaccination could be done over the phone or by Zoom.

It seems that pharmacies are expected to offer the service. How is it safe for an already overworked pharmacist to inject someone but not safe for doctors and nurses to do the same?

I am keen to protect ourselves and help save the NHS, but it seems the surgery I have used for 56 years is not as keen.

Annette Reeve

Watford, Hertfordshire