Keir Starmer and Labour should not play virus ‘blame game’ – it’s bad politics

LABOUR leader Sir Keir Starmer has called for an inquiry into the UK’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic (The Yorkshire Post, May 1).

I am sure that once this is all over then most countries will do exactly that to see what they can learn, and consequently improve, should something similar arise in the future.

It was unfortunate though that he then had to comment that the Government had been too slow to act on various matters. Is he therefore implying that blame will need to be apportioned for what has happened?

It will certainly not be appropriate to blame anyone. We must just accept that everyone was doing the best they could in the face of the unknown. They would have faced nothing like it before, and whilst lessons will indeed be learned, with mistakes inevitably being made along the way, that should be the end of it.

He who never made a mistake probably never did anything, and hindsight, of course, is a wonderful thing. So let’s hope that Starmer only has constructive suggestions to make without trying to point the finger of blame everywhere.

From: Fiona Lemmon, Clifton, Maltby, Rotherham.

IN addition to the invaluable and highly appreciated work that NHS staff are doing through the coronavirus pandemic, there are several groups of frontline workers whose contribution is largely ignored, but without whom our society would not be able to function.

From personal experience, I am singling out the funeral business. Our local crematorium is now open on Saturdays to cope with the extra workload of funerals caused by the 50 per cent rise in the death rate and coronavirus-related deaths.

Funeral directors’ staff are currently working six days a week to ensure that the deceased are receiving a dignified exit while supporting grieving families and friends through their loss in particularly challenging circumstances. The staff are frontline and at high risk of contracting coronavirus. I know of one pallbearer who has died from coronavirus. No doubt there are scores nationwide. My heartfelt thanks are extended to all those who are putting their lives on the line.

From: Brian H Sheridan, Lodge Moor, Sheffield.

BEING out in the car the other day was a strangely ambivalent sensation: the sight of empty streets seemed somehow unfamiliar but recognisable.

It only struck me later that going out during the lockdown was like gong out on the afternoon of Christmas Day. I first discovered the desultory nature of Christmas afternoon as a boy.

Any other day I could drift down to the local park and join in a spontaneous game of football but this time the park was deserted. Back home my mother helpfully informed me that “nobody goes out on Christmas afternoon”. I always had my doubts about the Wizzard hit I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day.

From: Kay Dee, Ben Rhydding.

WE hear a lot about how well most of us are following the lockdown rules, but since when did taking the car to a Costa drive-through constitute an essential journey? We are complying and it really irritates to see this flouting of the rules and no sign of any enforcement.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

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James Mitchinson

Editor