Lies, damned lies and booze-ban statistics

I was disappointed to read Tanya Farber’s piece, “Booze ban halves violent death rates” (May 10), in which she demonstrates her failure to understand the basic principles of statistics. She was of course misled by Dr Richard Matzopolous who is aware, or as a scientist certainly should be aware, that correlation and causation are worlds apart.

It might be true that traffic deaths have decreased since the alcohol restrictions imposed under the lockdown, but that does not mean alcohol restrictions caused the decrease. It could just as well be due to the fact that there are fewer vehicles on the road, fewer pedestrians, a greater police presence, frequent roadblocks, mild weather, or any number of factors.

But these don’t suit the prohibitionists’ agenda and so they attempt to persuade policymakers with questionable statistics. Your reporter was hoodwinked, as apparently the cabinet and police minister Bheki Cele have been, although he was possibly a willing dupe.

Similarly, the argument that the increase in domestic violence would

“likely be much worse if there wasn’t a simultaneous alcohol ban” is specious and unscientific. If this is the sort of science produced by the Medical Research Council and upon which the government bases its strategy, then indeed we have a problem. GP Hadley, Hillcrest

Don’t be barmy, Peter Bruce

In his column “The cabinet is going dangerously off the rails” (May 10), Peter Bruce ends with his idea of lockdown rules. Where does he get this from? Already we have the ridiculous 6am-9am walking, and all he wants to do is add another three hours. Why have any time restriction?

Hard lockdown for over 65s? I am 70, own a small company, walk for 30 minutes every day (or cycle), and I believe I am healthy and of sound mind. No sit-down meals in restaurants? Not even for two people who live together, so long as they are an acceptable distance from others?

No gatherings of two or more people? I can’t have a braai with my family? If two or more couples have already been through lockdown, they are presumably coronafree. But they can’t meet socially?

Every day there is more evidence that the lockdown is a waste of time and we are pursuing the wrong treatment for this “pandemic”. He’s obviously been drinking the ANC Kool-Aid.

Eric Carter, Blairgowrie

State of sinister secrecy

Lockdown SA shows alarming parallels with the dark days of apartheid. Then, faceless secret councils/committees like BOSS (Bureau for State Security) infringed on our civil liberties in the most awful ways. Now we are ruled by the faceless command council that oversees our lockdown lives. In the process, “they” have imposed perhaps the most stringent control of civil liberties in the world.

Who sits on this council, and how are these decisions taken that control the minutiae of our lives?

It helps little when the glib president mouths generalities. For example, when he says we are not the only country that has imposed harsh measures like forbidding alcohol and tobacco … name these countries and the reasons for their actions.

I will not be surprised if he is fudging the issue — in that bans are in place for other reasons, like religion (in the Middle East). This government has learnt little from our dreadful history.

Bruce Phillips, Rondebosch

Appreciate the value of schools

It’s a real travesty that schools have become easy targets for criminals. According to reports, more than 962 have been vandalised, and equipment stolen. With the [need for] protective supplies to create a safe environment at schools, [having] to replace stolen resources and repair vandalised schools is going to compound the economic strain.

Schools are supposed to be the prized possessions of communities. The challenge is to change the mindset of communities.

One solution is to inculcate [appropriate] values in communities with special emphasis on school-going learners. This will [develop] into an intergenerational attitude of collective community responsibility. Covid-19 has taught us many lessons, one of which is that, in adversity, positive attitudes must reign supreme.

Vijay Surujpal, Phoenix

No lock-up for lockdown cheats

On May 8 the minister of justice & correctional services, Ronald Lamola, announced he will release some prisoners deemed “not dangerous”. This is a [mistake]. It is unfair to release people who are guilty of crimes while jailing citizens for breaking [lockdown] rules. Prisons are now overburdened by the arrest of citizens who should get a punishment like a fine.

We need another way of dealing with those breaking the lockdown. They can do community service related to the fight against the coronavirus.

Tom Mhlanga, Braamfontein

Plaudits for Barney

We look forward to reading the Sunday Times. A special treat. We love the fact that it is a newspaper for all and not for a specific part of the population.

My husband and I cannot wait to read Barney Mthombothi’s column for his great insight. It keeps us in hope during this strange time and allows us to feel we are not going mad when we see and hear what is going on in the command council.

Please Barney, keep it going.

James and Lynette Pullen, Three Anchor Bay

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