I spent Christmas lying in hospital, trying not to die

■ Every day I read comments and feel ashamed that many in society have failed to comprehend Covid-19. Why do we need these rules to protect us?

I spent 15 days over Christmas and new year trying not to die after contracting Covid from a test centre. If it hadn’t been for the consultant and his team at Good Hope Hospital, Sutton Coldfield, and the staff on the acute medical shortstay unit, I’d be dead now.

To these staff, I simply wish to say thank you. To everyone else, grow up. Accept that we are all under attack from a virus that doesn’t discriminate on whom it will infect next.

Take a good look around you, at your family and friends, neighbours and work colleagues. How would you feel if one of them died because you refused to wear a mask?

Stop making excuses or arguing that these rules breach your ‘human rights’. Sod your rights. Save your family, friends, neighbours and colleagues. Do the right thing!

Darrell, via email

■ The grim headline ‘Sorry, No Beds Left’ (Metro, Fri) should be a wake-up call for all of us.

The British public’s message to Prime Minister Boris Johnson should be, ‘Sorry, but that’s not good enough.’

There are thousands of private hospitals and clinics all over the UK. They should be taken over to help clear the huge backlog. Military hospitals should also be used.

We are not just witnessing the government’s mismanagement of the pandemic but also ten years of austerity and a lack of investment in the NHS.

The chickens have come home to roost, Mr Johnson, and it’s time for you to sort out the mess. It’s time for firm action.

Alan Jensen, West Hampstead

■ The government and scientists are wasting their time haranguing the British public about rules and regulations.

The over-fifties probably watch the briefings but that’s how they were brought up. The others – and thus the majority of the population – either don’t know the rules or don’t want to know.

Also, due to their age, they either don’t believe it or think it isn’t their problem because they are likely to survive it, as it is an ‘old person’s problem’. There’s no easy solution to this public awareness situation.

However, when they do address the nation via any media outlet, the authorities should use simple words, as if they were speaking to a six-year-old child or a puppy.

Dave Blower, Warrington

■ Here in South Africa, the government has recently made it the duty of all shopkeepers to report people who refuse to wear masks or socially distance, with accompanying penalties including risking having their premises closed down.

While we have over a million cases here, the situation pales in comparison with that in the UK.

Why doesn’t the British government grow some balls and get a grip on civil disobedience, which causes such a devastating effect on the population? Otherwise this global pandemic will drag on for years.

The UK cannot rely on the vastly depleted police service for enforcement. This is tantamount to a war situation and must be handled with a determination that was demonstrated during World War II.

In effect, the fight against Covid is World War III and should be handled as such.

Nick Morice-Jones, South Africa