The Government must be careful not to pursue a ‘cure’ at any cost
sir – The current situation seems to be the culmination of an obsession with “being seen to be doing something”, regardless of how effectual that is.
Although the Government laudably tries to follow scientific advice, science does not necessarily deal in certainties. The modelling involved relies on assumptions and priorities. No one knows if the cure – of potentially destroying the private sector, including the millions of small businesses that form the fabric of our society – is going to be far worse than the disease itself. Barbara Scase
Stanton by Dale, Derbyshire
sir – This is not “the end of freedom” (report, March 24). It is the start of an effort to save lives and curb the activities of those who are currently abusing the freedoms that we cherish. Catherine Castree
Fetcham, Surrey
sir – The Government’s new measures are misguided. The public needs to be brought on side, not with draconian powers but through reason.
The current approach undermines the values of these islands, where people respond to requests but are wary of threats to their freedoms. Roger Runswick
Chesham, Buckinghamshire
sir – It’s easy for Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, to blame the public for being selfish. But how would he describe himself for failing to ensure adequate deliveries of protective equipment to essential workers?
We are told by the Prime Minister to put ourselves into lockdown, but that doesn’t mean we should suspend our critical faculties. The lack of testing and the last-minute appeal for more ventilators are examples of incompetence at the highest levels. Tony Narula FRCS
Wargrave, Berkshire
sir – Dr Steven Hopkins (Letters, March 24) believes that the lockdown is taking place because the NHS cannot cope, rather than to protect us.
No healthcare system can or should be designed to cope with such an influx of critically ill people – that would mean thousands of ventilators and intensive care beds sitting unused on the off-chance of another pandemic.
Even if we did have all the necessary resources, we would still want to slow the spread of the disease. Invasive ventilation does save lives, but it can take months for patients to return to normal function. These measures are only for our protection. Dr Beverley Macpherson
Bath, Somerset
sir – I found Boris Johnson’s broadcast to be most reassuring. Dominic Shelmerdine
London SW3
sir – After the Second World War, Winston Churchill was heavily defeated in the July 1945 general election. Watch out, Mr Johnson. Alastair Pringle
Cranbrook, Kent