We have to protect the economy to prevent more deaths

ALL the doom- laden scientists and mathematical modellers are, once again, lining up to put the fear of a ‘‘ second wave’’ approaching to justify restrictions on normal life. They have had their time ( The Yorkshire Post, September 19 and 22).

They had seven months to get a grip on this pandemic – and they still haven’t sorted a competent testing service under Dido Harding. Enough is enough.

We know far more about the virus that should enable us to tackle it without allowing it to force a disastrous second national lockdown. The nation, still suffering mental health issues, has not an appetite for this.

This second phase should be prioritised by the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak. This country used to be tolerant, sensible and resilient with an abundance of common sense – now replaced by panic and over- reaction from alleged leadership at the top.

Yes, the infection rates are up – but surely we expected this when we opened up society? We have all the Nightingale hospitals ready, including Harrogate ( which have never been used) should they be necessary.

We are in a pandemic and we need to be personally responsible and careful with distancing and masks.

Most under 60s will not suffer and older ones like myself can take care of ourselves ( I’m recovering from a heart attack).

We have to accept that some people will die – it’s a fact of life – but Professor Karol Sikora stated last weekend that there are 30,000 people walking about now not knowing they have cancer because they’ve not seen their GP and receiving treatment and, who are, sadly, going to die.

There will be far more deaths if the economy is not protected over the next few months that will make Covid numbers insignificant.

From: Bernard Gardner, Birmingham.

I NOTICE the media reports about rising cases of Covid in Yorkshire.

My wife and I visited Scarborough on Sunday and found the vast amount of people young and old were totally ignoring social distancing and mask wearing.

The crowds were frightening. We left ASAP and went to Filey where the situation was the same with crowds around the food outlets.

Sunday we visited Whitby and left immediately because, if anything, it was worse than Scarborough.