Boris Johnson is no Churchill and Keir Starmer isn’t Attlee

WHAT possible benefit could accrue from a recall of Parliament? Not so long ago, as the dark clouds of approaching catastrophe loomed, not a single MP stood up to warn and urge vital preparation.

We had a still euphoric Conservative Party led by a hubristic Prime Minister, a Labour Party engrossed with infighting, and a SNP up to their usual tricks. Exactly how a return of their endless squabbling will help us, I do not know.

Eighty years ago, in equally desperate times, this country had the great fortune to be led by two great statesmen who put aside their differences in the hour of need: Churchill and Attlee.

Sadly, for all his fine words, Sir Keir Starmer seems to be no Attlee. Likewise Boris Johnson has shown none of the prescience of Churchill; he does however have the charisma, and given his recent chastening experience, possibly now the gravitas, to lead an anxious population to accept the harsh measures vital for our survival as a nation.

Let us hope that his political enemies, and among them I include the plethora of ‘smart alec’ TV journalists, come to their senses and do not succeed in destroying our morale. We cannot afford that. Not now.

From: Dr David Tree-Booker, Sandal, Wakefield.

I RETIRED from general practice over eight years ago and my one regret is that I could not encourage more of my patients to stop smoking. Evidence is now emerging that smokers are up to 14 times more likely to develop severe symptoms with coronavirus as this attacks the respiratory system which has already been damaged in this cohort of the population.

Clearly, further studies are needed to confirm these findings but this must be a major cause for concern.

Ever since Sir Walter Raleigh introduced tobacco into Europe in the 16th century, it has been an important part of the global economy.

Perhaps now is the time to take this major public health problem more seriously. If this pandemic isn’t a wake-up call for everyone concerned, what will it take?

From: Graham Branston, Emmott Drive, Rawdon.

AS someone who was once responsible for emergency planning for the Leeds Metropolitan District, I wish to comment on the current issue of front line NHS staff, and probably also care/nursing home staff, not having protective clothing and thereby being at risk from those who have tested positive for the coronavirus.

You would have thought that drawing on the experience of the Sars and Ebola epidemics that the NHS, not just hospitals but also local clinics, dental practices etc, private medical bodies and all care/nursing homes, should have plans for what we are now experiencing.

I know hindsight is a very precise science, but surely one of the key lessons to be learnt is to have an emergency plan for epidemics or pandemics? They may already exist, if so, in my view they should include a defined stockpile of specified and approved protective clothing, facial masks, visors and gloves.

From: Gerald Hodgson, Spennithorne, Leyburn.

EVERY day we hear that people who need Personal Protective Equipment are not getting it. We also hear of countless millions of PPE items being distributed.

I am forced to the conclusion that these items are used once and then thrown away. Surely the science exists to safely disinfect gowns aprons and visors?

Masks could be disinfected and fitted with new filters. I realise I write from a starting point of ignorance, but comparing the statistics of supply with the continuing claims of inadequate protection leads me to this conclusion. If items of PPE could be safely cleaned and disinfected, the supply problem would soon disappear, a massive disposal problem would be avoided and huge sums of money saved.

From: Marilyn Shaw, Thornhill, Dewsbury.

I AM amazed at how many people continue to ignore the Government’s advice to ‘stay at home’. It seems that many continue to ignore this advice.

Are they stupid, arrogant, illiterate, or deaf – or all of these? Presumably they watch television and if they choose to ignore news and government updates, then perhaps programme makers could put this information in simplistic ways on ‘popular simplistic’ programmes for them.

How unfair and criminal of them to risk – not only our wonderful NHS but also their friends, family, neighbours and many countless others.

Why don’t the media and Government point all of this out and presumably shame them? If, that is, they have any shame or conscience.

From: Peter Flesher, Halifax.

CAN I suggest that all these experts, advisers and politicians who want a continuation of the lockdown have, from today’s date, their income reduced to £2,500 per month, taxed of course, with the threat that it may cease in three months’ time? That might influence their decision!

From: Ray Black, Harrogate.

WE are told often enough not to keep the tap running while cleaning our teeth, so why on Earth has there been no similar advice for our 20 second anti-virus hand-washing?

Suddenly millions of people will be wasting millions of gallons of water because they are either too selfish or incapable of working this out for themselves?

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