Hello barbecues, farewell fresh air
HOW regrettable that the Prime Minister suggested we celebrate the easing of lockdown with a barbecue when one of the positive factors to come out of the Covid-19 crisis is the reduction in air pollution. While successive governments have done much to reduce household pollution with more efficient gas boilers, the domestic garden seems at odds with these initiatives. Bonfires, barbecues, chimineas and, worst of all, the middle-class fire-pit continue unabated. Some Covid-19 survivors are enduring long-term respiratory issues and the vulnerable who are still shielding need to be able to open a window for fresh air. Many must dread the neighbours having a barbecue with the inevitable drift of acrid smoke in their direction.
DAVID BRIGGS, Whitby, N. Yorks.
MY SCEPTICISM about pollution damaging the environment has been blown away. During my early morning dog walk, I’ve always enjoyed the lovely distant view of a church spire, a mast, mismatched trees and vehicles snaking through the hills. But I could never have imagined the transformation in the early weeks of lockdown. I realised the spire has a church, I could clearly see the mast like Meccano bolted to the sky and I not only spotted houses and farm buildings nestling in the hills, but a whole wind farm! I could also hear the cuckoo calling and all the birds chattering loudly under a bright blue sky the likes of which I hadn’t seen since childhood. No, my eyesight and hearing hadn’t suddenly improved. Without many vehicles on the road, the pollution level dropped dramatically and the misty haze disappeared. Now people have started going about their daily business as if nothing is amiss, will things go back to normal or will the wonderful changes stay? Already, I can see only three windmills, the birds seem quieter and the sky is a watery blue.
ROS STACEY, Milton Keynes, Bucks.
HOW wonderfully nature has compensated during these difficult times. The tulips and irises have been the tallest I can remember and the blossom on the pear, plum, cherry and apple trees was like candyfloss clouds. The birds are so tame they are hopping around my feet and flying past my nose! We have a lot to rejoice in.
JEAN CROCKER, Nailsworth, Glos.