Marcelo Bielsa not the only one asking why Leeds is in Tier 3: Yorkshire Post Letters

From: Coun Peter Gruen (Lab), Leeds Council.
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has been speaking out over the return of football fans to games.Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has been speaking out over the return of football fans to games.
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has been speaking out over the return of football fans to games.

SHOULD Leeds be in Tier 3? Marcelo Bielsa nailed it when asked about fans still unable to come to Elland Road. He said this was not the most important question; instead he asked: are the reasons why Leeds is in Tier 3 correct? And that is of course the burning question and gives rise to more questions.

Like, when we look at a map of England, why in general is southern England in Tier 2 and northern England in Tier 3? Or why is a large geographical area like Leeds not considered by itself and instead aggregated with the rest of West Yorkshire, five distinct local authority districts?

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But even more importantly, and Bielsa identified this too, is the question of fairness. Whilst we are told the five different indicators used for placing us into the tiers, we have no idea of the precise criteria used for each one.

Do you trust Boris Johnson's handling of Covid-19?Do you trust Boris Johnson's handling of Covid-19?
Do you trust Boris Johnson's handling of Covid-19?

Let me explain. Our infection rate has declined rapidly from well over 400 per 100,000 to around 275 per 100,000. By next week we can expect the Leeds rate to have continued to decrease apace. So, what exactly is the cut-off point between Tier 2 and Tier 3?

Commentators have rightly stressed the importance of openness and transparency by Government and the people’s trust cannot be demanded, but has to be earned. We need to see all the precise indicators used to determine why localities are in their respective tiers.

I hope Leeds MPs will search out the truth to ensure Northern cities have been treated fairly before they cast their votes.

From: Keith Turnbull, Ryton Way, Doncaster.

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THE splitting of 99 per cent of the population between Tiers 2 and 3 is raising much concern and disagreements, many places in Tier 2 with relative low levels of the virus asking why they can’t be given a Tier 1 status which they believe is their right.

The PM basically says that it’s not possible to micromanage, resulting in too many areas given different results. My own view is that the whole country should be treated the same with restrictions probably between those put forward for Tiers 2 and 3.

From: Barry Foster, High Stakesby, Whitby.

WE continue to learn of people continuing to moan and groan about being in the wrong tier and missing Christmas. For once, this should not matter. What we all need to do is get behind the Government, scientists and medical experts doing the best they can to get us back to a safe and near-normal life.

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