Toxic lectures

In his letter about Ni cola Sturgeon’ s daily broadcasts (16 September ), Prof Alan Murdoch states :“The management of the epidemic to minimise infections and deaths has been about influencing human behaviour through communication.”

On 9 June I sent a message to the Central Enquiry Unit( CEU) at the Scottish Government to vent my feelings on the continued enforcement of shielding for those of a certain age and those with any vulnerability.

Due to these“death casts” from the Scottish Government, many, including my own mother-in-law, believed this shielding was the law – in fact 99 per cent of people would have said it was the law.

The reply I received from Rosslyn Cole at the CEU on 10 June said: “Shielding is for your personal protection, it’s your choice to decide whether to follow these measures.” To say I was speechless is an understatement.

As we are the only country in the western world where the leader of the government stands before its people to read out the daily deaths and tests for negative and positive results league table, the only use of this nonsense is to engender fear. And oh how successful it has been.

As Lord Sumption, Supreme Court Judge said, “What you have to remember is that when societies lose their liberty it is not because liberty has been crushed under the boot of some tyrant, it’s usually because they’ve been frightened into giving it up voluntarily.”

And the fearcasts are continuing, with Professor “Screach” on one side with his “I’m the kind of guy who’ s looking out for you manner” and the Health Secretary Ms Freeman on the other, bumbling along on the crest of a disastrous record of closed hospitals, inquiries et ca ft er six months still urging us to wash our hands, In the name of the Lord let us be free from this highly dangerous and toxic lecturing once and for all.

DAVID MILLAR West High Street, Lauder

I am somewhat am used at all the teeth-gnashing going on in the Letters pages about whether or not Nicola Sturgeon should have her prime daily slot on the BBC.

Clearly the SNP propaganda machine has seen an opportunity to cash-in on this serious health issue. Their footsoldiers have been delighted by the opportunity to lend their support to the argument.

I agree that we should be kept informed of Covid developments. However, there is a simple solution to this dilemma. Put Nicola’s briefings on the BBC red button. People can then choose to watch or not. Everybody’s happy.

COLIN DOUGLAS Ballplay Road, Moffat