Deepest admiration for all jab volunteers

YES, I would single out my thanks to the vaccine volunteers for their sustained everyday efforts to assist in the huge project of this nation wide vaccination.

But let us not forget the many other people who, individually and in small groups, contributed in many small ways to the elderly, the needy and the lonely during months of lockdown.

At a time of need the natural goodness in people shines across humanity, not just in the massed full daylight of a vaccinations programme but in the quiet of single silent corners of our lives they have helped. Please, let’s not ruin their dedication with a binge at the end of June.

This planet is a little place and we all now live in a highly complex society where interdependency is not just logical it is vital.

Securing the defences – saving lives against Covid-19 – is a world effort because the pandemic demands a world effort because that is in our mutual best interest.

It’s not a race to see who is first or best or worst, this is not an international competition, there is no first, second or third prize.

Once Britain is clean we turn and look to help others – that’s what a caring nation does. Don’t we all wish for every nation to be the most successful nation? Why spoil a good, well meaning letter with nationalistic rhetoric?

I acknowledge the timely and worthwhile letter signed by some Devon MPs. But why not all? Why, for some unknown reason, exclude Exeter NHS, staff and volunteers? Two of Devon’s MPs’ names are not on the list. Did they refuse to add their names or wished not to be associated with this letter?

Were they asked to, or were they deliberately excluded from this initiative? If so, why? Did those who signed the letter think Exeter NHS officials and volunteers had not performed?

This has been a national effort of the people, that we always knew would be necessary.

As many scientists have often said: “Pandemic? It’s not a question of if... but a question of when.”

The answer was January 2020.

That the only solution to a pandemic would not be political but scientific was obvious.

That would mean vaccination of the population and that would require huge public support that knew no political or social divide. If this letter has been skewed to demonstrate a political divide, it sours it.

Here in Newton Abbot, the volunteering Rotarians who have stood in the cold and wet hour after hour, day after day, have my deepest admiration.

Don Frampton Newton Abbot,

Devon