Unenlightened

Edinburgh is the birthplace of the Enlightenment, where David Hume taught us that human actions should be governed by reason, not by fear imposed by human institutions, be they religious or governmental.

Based on a thorough review of the empirical evidence it has been clear for a considerable time that the Covid-19 virus poses a minimal risk to the young and healthy, while for those with compromised immune systems the virus is extremely dangerous.

Health policy from the start should have been to concentrate resources on shielding the vulnerable section of the community from the virus, while allowing immunity to build up in the remaining population which is at very low risk.

Once immunity had developed and the epidemic had subsided, free intercourse between vulnerable and nonvulnerable sections of society could have resumed.

Instead, irrational fear, generated by deeply flawed scientific advice from Sage, and reinforced by a press unable either to understand or place in context the concept of risk, has led to the imposition of a draconian lockdown out of all proportion to the threat.

This has removed our fundamental freedoms, ruined innumerable livelihoods and paradoxically denied lifesaving medical treatment for those not suffering from Covid-19. Having stifled the epidemic at immense economic cost, the Scottish Government has no coherent exit plan and

instead of consulting established public health epidemiologists are asking what the general public would like to do next, and either denying or granting their wishes.

The situation is reminiscent of petitioners seeking indulgences from the Pope. Looking at the situation from beyond the grave, David Hume must despair that we have thrown away his precious inheritance. (PROF) RICHARD ENNOS

Old Farm Place, Edinburgh