Britain leading the way on testing for Covid-19
WIN Griffiths (“While there is chaos here, it’s calm in the EU”, Echo letters, October 1) uses Covid infection rates to highlight what he sees as British failure.
Yet he fails to mention the main reason our infection rates are so high compared to EU countries is that we are testing far more of our citizens than anywhere else.
You don’t have to be Einstein to work out that the more people you test the more positive Covid cases will be revealed.
In a table comparing Covid tests per million of population the UK was top with 3,852,529, compared to France (in third place) with 1,708,071. So France, despite having one of the most thorough testing regimes in the world, is still way short of our levels. Further down the league table were Italy (1,360,247 tests per million population) and Germany on 812,577. By way of comparison the USA was fourth on 1,707,779. (These figures relate to August 24 so apologies I could not find more up to date statistics, but you get the general picture.)
Interestingly, in the early days of the pandemic when Britain’s testing rates were below those of many of our European neighbours the Remoaners were screaming from the rooftops about this as more evidence of broken Britain and the superiority of the EU. They’ve gone quiet now the numbers don’t back their argument.
As for Win Griffiths’ reference to “empty supermarket shelves”, I must be going to the wrong supermarkets because the shelves are groaning with produce whenever I go shopping.
Paul Wilson
Caerphilly
Girl so sensible on skin colour
LAST evening’s BBC Wales Today’s reporting of a young girl’s take on the Estyn report on racial discrimination resonated with me.
In a very simple, but telling, manner, she insisted that, since the sole purpose of skin is to protect us from the exigencies of the weather, an individual’s worth should not be determined by the colour of one’s skin.
As someone who has laboured over letters on the subject, in the context of Black Lives Matter rallies, and knee-bending before football match kick-offs etc, I envy this young lady’s perceptiveness. More than that, I commend her perception to the whole world population and I would not limit it to just skin colour. There are other physical features like the shape of one’s eyes, one’s hair, or the lack of it. Then there are the less visible ones such as the poor memory, that, for the benefit of your readers, I should have allowed for by recording the young woman’s name in writing.
Derek Griffiths
Llandaff, Cardiff
Plenty of vegan options for baking
WE’RE in the midst of a vegan revolution, and the decision by The Great British Bake Off producers not to allow contestants to “veganise” recipes in the technical challenge really takes the cake.
Eggs used as a binding ingredient in baking can easily be replaced by a powdered egg replacer, and eggs added for moisture can be replaced by tofu, apple sauce, pumpkin, or mashed bananas. Giving vegan bakers the chance to showcase their creations would only enhance and enliven the competition, and it would go a long way towards inspiring viewers to try replacing eggs, milk, gelatine and other animal “products” with plant-based alternatives for themselves.
Animal-derived ingredients contribute to many of the nation’s health problems and cause environmental destruction and unspeakable animal suffering.
But, there’s good news: we can enjoy vegan baking from the comfort of our own homes, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) offers a free vegan starter kit filled with tips and recipes for anyone looking to give it a go.
Jennifer White,
Media and Communications Manager, Peta Foundation
The Remoaners have gone quiet now the numbers don’t back their argument
Paul Wilson Caerphilly
Driving at 20mph is not efficient
I REALLY cannot believe this nonsense that is being perpetuated by this council and its intentions to stop citizens using motor vehicles in an efficient manner.
Today’s vehicles are inefficient at 20mph. I support lower speeds near schools but on general roads it is pointless. Current limits of 30mph are not adequately enforced so 20 is utterly impossible to enforce.
We have constant drivel from this council of daft ideas. They have effectively destroyed businesses in many parts of Cardiff by constantly tinkering with traffic flows, pavement alterations and road humps, some of which are dangerous.
Assuming this bonkers idea is enshrined I hope all road humps will be removed.
Try stopping the law breakers on electric scooters before again messing with more speed limits, sort out public transport.
Quite frankly they are making a mountain out of a mole hill. Please desist with these foolish plans for north Cardiff, it hasn’t worked in Cathays and other areas.
Being cynical, this consultation is nothing more than a paper exercise.
Just remember how the council has had to reverse the changes on
Castle Street – it needs to listen to public opinion once in a while. Tim Gorvett
Rhiwbina
Wishing John well
I READ the article (Echo, October 5) and the difficulties that John Chapman has because of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). I sympathise with him because I also have CKD Stage 5.
I do not have the heart problems but suffer greatly with massive changes in body temperature as well as extreme itching, particularly in my legs. It does not, however, prevent me driving and I can carry out most tasks, I also have a great relationship with my kidney consultant at the Heath. I wish you well, John, and try to keep positive. Edgar Salamon, St Fagans, Cardiff
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