A safe return to school

To The Daily Telegraph

Supermarket staff are exposed to thousands of customers every day. At our local Waitrose I regularly thank the staff for their efforts and enquire about casualty rates from Covid. None reported to date.

I wish our teachers were as willing to serve rather than being herded by their unions into a policy of non-cooperation. Michael Willis, Stirling

To The Times

Today the Government says I can meet one friend in an open, public space, as long as we remain two metres apart. On 1 June, the Government would like three of my grandchildren to meet up to 15 of their friends, and at least one adult, in an environment where they are highly unlikely to remain two metres apart, given the age of the children and the constraints of the building. At the end of the day, these 15 children will go home to a variety of family groups, who may or may not be maintaining social distancing. How has the Government determined that children will be safe when they are going to come into contact, by proxy, with a large number of potential virus transmitters? The Government needs to be open about the scientific advice so families are able to make informed choices about their children returning to school – something that we are all very keen to see – when it is safe.

Pamela Garside, retired primary school teacher, Billingham, Co. Durham

To The Times

Pamela Garside suggests returning children to school “when it is safe”, but it is unlikely to be totally safe for perhaps months or even years. It is possible that, eventually, most of us will be exposed, very gradually, to the virus as businesses and schools re-open. This gradual exposure will surely mean occasional outbreaks, from which most people will recover. We cannot protect against all risk and those people at severe risk can surely make the decision to continue to self-isolate. As an “older” person, I will take my chances.

Linda Miller, Dereham, Norfolk