A lockdown is no good if it makes life unbearable
What a great article last week by Dan Hodges regarding the lockdown and how we are cheating death by cheating life.
While I agree that we must stop this virus spreading, I do think that people have to be treated like adults and be relied upon to be responsible.
There will always be the stupid minority who will flout any rule going – this edict of a lockdown will not stop that.
We have to be able to live our lives. I feel very lucky to be a pensioner of 74 who doesn’t have to worry about money – I have a state pension and a private one. But what about the young families who were struggling to make ends meet even before this enforced economic disaster?
Sandra Ford, Plymouth
Dan Hodges, as usual, hit the nail right on the head with his column last Sunday. There is no point being alive if we merely exist.
Although I am in the high-risk groups (diabetes, heart condition, skin cancer), I believe we should move out of lockdown – sensibly – as soon as possible, especially in areas which have been less affected by the virus.
At the moment, we in the East of England are social distancing, while, at the same time, Tube trains in London – the worst affected area – are still crammed with commuters. Is that sensible?
I can’t go fishing or watch football or horse racing. I can’t go to the market, or even be with my grandkids. There seems to be no point getting out of bed in the morning, as all the things that make life worth living are on hold.
If I am to stay alive, then I want to live, not just exist.
I may not have long as it is – I don’t want to spend what time I have left in misery.
Phil North, Brigg, Lincolnshire
In his column, Dan Hodges reflects upon this terrible time, longing to hug and kiss. Yuck!
Not me. I have always resented having my personal space invaded. Why do I have to be best pals with everybody? No thanks. I’ll continue to keep my distance, as I always have.
Newcastle
Amanda Yates,
My wife and I are both over 70, and it is possible that when the restrictions are lifted, the over-70s will be kept under ‘house arrest’ indefinitely, prevented from returning to the lives we knew.
Have these younger politicians and others any idea of the effect this will have for us to be unable to have family gatherings and see our great-granddaughter? My wife and her keep-fit friends will no longer be able to exercise. There will be no more fishing or golf, or going to our favourite garden centre. No more living a life of fulfilment for older people, whatever their lifestyle, just existing.
What will be the point?
Terence Woodings,
Blackpool
Alan Titchmarsh made such a reasoned, poetic argument for garden centres to be reopened in his article last week. By staying closed, garden centres will have less income to pay back any Government support money.
M. Fitch, Attleborough, Norfolk
It’s premature for Keir Starmer to demand an exit strategy, which can be only hypothetical for now. There are far more pressing and vital issues, in both the Labour Party and the NHS. Terry Johnson, Wirral
Peter Hitchens argues that the Government policy of lockdown has not been successful. He goes on to point out that the expected mass death toll has not arrived. The logical conclusion, therefore, is that the Government policy has been successful. Tony Agar,
Knaresborough, North Yorkshire
The Opposition and Left-wing media are not interested in an exit strategy – they just want something to beat Boris Johnson with. Brian Christley,
Abergele, North Wales