At last, a voice of sanity amid all the hysteria
What a refreshing and realistic article from Peter Hitchens last week in this time of unnecessary panic and crisis.
At the age of 72, I feel anxious about being in enforced isolation. I am being forced to lock myself away from everything that makes my old age bearable, such as coffee with friends, bingo, swimming, theatre visits, sleepover visits from my granddaughter (whose zest for life is intoxicating and far better than a shot of brandy), family meals and holidays.
And for what? In case I get a virus that my old immune system cannot fight.
Three weeks ago, I felt I was supporting the system by spending my hard-earned cash on doing things I enjoy. Now I feel truly worthless, a drain on society, and fear for my sanity.
Bad flu viruses are around every year. In my lifetime there have been other health scares, but never have such drastic, systemwrecking measures been taken.
Sadly, death is part of life; it comes to us all. Believe you me, I would rather go suddenly from a virus than live with dementia.
The other thing that concerns me, and which I just cannot reconcile, is the fact that for the past few years the over-65s have been seen as bed-blockers, costing the system too much money and outstaying our welcome. Why is there now all this concern to keep us safe?
Carol Horne, Liverpool
In these troubled times, thank goodness for the common sense of Peter Hitchens. I do hope he will continue his campaign to highlight the very misguided policy and dangerous infringement of civil liberties that this supposedly Conservative Government has promulgated.
Nick Fernyhough, Epsom
The Prime Minister’s measures have been correct, and done at the right time, under medical advice. No PM in peacetime has faced a situation like this. This has literally become a battle to save lives. Health Secretary Matt Hancock also deserves praise in such testing times.
It is also a great tribute to the British people that they have signed up to help the NHS in its time of need. If people adhere to the lockdown measures, we may soon reach a turning point in the battle with this awful virus. Nick Fletcher,
Malton, North Yorkshire
Those, like Peter Hitchens, who question the level, proportion, effectiveness and cost of the current exceptional and draconian restrictions, and the abolition of freedom and liberty, will be told it is needed for the preservation of our existence.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t just want to exist, I want to live. Charles Jackson,
Newcastle
What an enlightened article from Peter Hitchens. I thought I was the only person who was looking at coronavirus as just another flu. Well done, and let’s have more logical thinking. The world has come to a standstill. Why? Peter Southwood,
Fetcham, Surrey
Thanks to the glorious sunshine and blue skies last week, we spent time in the garden. And with spring flowers, the green shoots and birdsong, it was hard to believe anything bad was happening in the world.
But if we all abide by the rules laid down by the Government to keep us safe, we will get through this, even though it will take time.
Perhaps afterwards we will appreciate more the important things in life… our loved ones, our family and friends, the flora and fauna, our health, our amazing doctors and the NHS, the police and all other services keeping us safe, our farmers and the food producers, our schools and our fragile planet. S. Martin,
East Preston, West Sussex
Peter Hitchens is officially my hero. His article last week said everything I have felt about the situation we find ourselves in. It won’t be the virus that will finish our life as we know it, it will be how we react to it. So, Peter, you are not on your own. I am with you 100 per cent and I hope there will be other likeminded people out there.
Before my mother died aged 98, one of her favourite sayings when she was appalled by the news was ‘the world has gone mad’, and I think she just might be right.
Linda Cragg, Grantham
Praise God for Peter, a lone voice of sanity amid all the hysteria.
John Atkinson, Bradford
Is our Government using a sledgehammer to break a peanut? As Benjamin Franklin said, any society that is willing to give up their freedom in order to gain a little security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one. Derreck Pinkney,
School Aycliffe, County Durham