Government did not mandate door plan

Sir, – I find it difficult to write this letter, as I am still in stitches after reading Jane Lax’s letter last week (Courier, February 7), which lacks accuracy.

First, it is not the Scottish Government that has mandated the removal of the bottom of classroom doors, it is a local authority that has introduced this change. Scotgov, simply provides the money to execute the local council plan. Second, with councils repeatedly complaining they are strapped for cash, what better than a solution to the classroom ventilation problem which uses no moving parts other than a saw once (possibly powered), and has no downstream maintenance cost.

Fire doors are not intended to be affected, as fire doors are normally open and only unlocked to close in the event of a fire, so that story is another porky.

I would presume that the local council will have sought advice from their local fire and rescue service expert, and will be guided by their advice.

Third, the Liberal Democrat Party leader Mr Cole-hamilton was advising that each classroom has a Hepa filter and ventilation system installed, to suck out air potentially with Covid virus load as the virus dies after some hours, and the filters may need replacing every week or so (my guess). I checked and Mr James Dyson offers a lovely-looking product costing £469. Others are available.

There are 5,000 schools with on average 30 classrooms, this equates to 150,000 Dyson devices costing a cool (only if you don’t ask for that option) £75 million. That could cut across the additional £20 benefit to lower-income families due in March.

Lack water and you can survive three days, then walking to get water becomes difficult to impossible.

Lack food and it takes about two weeks before your body has broken down your fat store and muscle tissue to stay alive. The fatter you are the longer you survive.

There are more than 150,000 families in Scotland in poverty, and needing help – thankfully, we Scots are up for helping others.

And I am now greetin’ at what I am typing.

Alistair Ballantyne. Birkhill,

Angus.