Politicians not scientists are in charge

£25 STAR LETTER

Everyone can understand why the government thought it was best to get patients out of hospitals and into homes before the virus, but not testing them first?

If the experts were telling ministers that positive patients could safely be sent into homes then you have to wonder what they were experts in. It is not enough for politicians to say they were doing what scientists told them.

They were taking these decisions not scientists and at some point they will have to defend them. If they can.

J Sutter, by email

Hindsight is easy

Further to your report of the Health Secretary’s letter and the suggestion that hospitals were under pressure to transfer patients (Sunday Post, August 23).

When she wrote it, the world was struggling to understand this new disease, nobody anywhere has got it right, and of course mistakes are likely to be made, but arguing or implying that there was a deliberate policy to cause mayhem diverts attention away from the real issues.

This whole pandemic response is perhaps better paralleled by describing it as the fog of war, everyone feeling their way through without knowing what the outcome would be while doing their best, or, perhaps, another military simile, no plan survives contact with the enemy. Nick Cole, Meigle

At risk from humans

The reintroduction of lynx into the Trossachs is currently not a very good idea. We cannot protect the wild animals and birds we already have in Scotland.

It is likely lynx would be killed by the same people who illegally shoot, trap and poison birds of prey, which were reintroduced after being hunted to extinction. Lynx are no threat to humans but let’s not release any until there is a better chance that people are no longer a threat to lynx.

John Robins, Animal Concern

No comparison?

I always find Judy Murray’s column an interesting read but, although I agree with the general sentiment of her thoughts on the ability of some women leaders, I have to point out a glaring error.

Nicola Sturgeon’s record on Covid-19 is in no way comparable to that of Jacinda Ardern or Angela Merkel. Excess deaths is an accurate measure of the effect of Covid. New Zealand had fewer deaths than average during the first half of 2020 and Germany’s deaths were onetenth of Scotland’s by percentage population. Scotland’s excess death rate is the third worst in Europe. James Quinn, Lanark

Research required

Your coverage of the long-term problems suffered by people who contracted the Covid-19 virus should be commended. The problem of post-viral fatigue which can lead to chronic fatigue, ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) has been an ill-understood illness.

The Covid-19 pandemic has shown this to be a real physical illness and as such requires much research to help fight it.

Dr Gregor Purdie, Ayr