Opentoosoon?

Covid-19 infection rates in China, New Zealand and South Korea are dropping to low levels per million. Those in the New World both north and south are much higher and rising. The UK as a whole, which has a much better health service, is also performing badly.

This suggests that citizens of the UK should view with great cynicism the British government’s enthusiasm for opening pubs and clubs, malls and restaurants and giving new routes for the illness to spread.

It is worrying to imagine that the belief in herd immunity has not quite disappeared in Westminster, even though this outcome would need a 70 per cent infection rate. We have seen the old, the sick, the disadvantaged and minorities being most at risk while the Treasury supports big business, its essential workers and thus the owners of these enterprises. Even the Home Office’s treatment of foreign care workers fits with this analysis.

The season is approaching for flu and common colds to become prevalent. We do not know if Covid-19 is like one or other of these. Does infection give long-term immunity or does it allow a victim to become a hidden source? Does it just give short-term immunity or come in waves like some colds?

“East, West; Hame’s best.”

IAIN W D FORDE Main Street, Scotlandwell

I have had asthma all my life and, contrary to what you’re told, after five decades it never gets any easier. I also have difficulty wearing the nowmandatory face mask for a prolonged period – after two hours I am struggling to breathe and am obliged to head home to take it off.

But the crux of the matter is, none of us should be staying out longer than necessary anyway.toparaphrasetheold rabies adverts, Covid-19 is still a killer.

To those bleating about their “freedom”, would you sooner have “cabin fever” or Covid-19 fever? Until there’s a reliable cure, that’s the gamble you take with your own life and everyone you come into contact with.

Israel and the US are now paying horrific prices for their complacency and hubris – let their fate be our warning.

MARK BOYLE Linn Park Gardens, Johnstone