Letters: A year of poor decisions on Covid-19 by Government

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Year of poor decisions by Government

J Bunting (Let’s Talk, February 23) seems to have forgotten that a year ago, while other countries were closing borders and taking measures against the spread of Covid-19, Boris Johnson was wandering round hospitals, shaking hands with people and claiming there was nothing to worry about.

When he finally in late March started to listen to the medical profession, it was already too late to prevent the spread of the virus. Indeed, Boris became ill.

Air Marshal AGR Garrod inspects cadets of 26 (Tiffins) Air Training Corps Squadron in March 1941Air Marshal AGR Garrod inspects cadets of 26 (Tiffins) Air Training Corps Squadron in March 1941
Air Marshal AGR Garrod inspects cadets of 26 (Tiffins) Air Training Corps Squadron in March 1941
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During the year we had pauses in lockdown and then re-imposition of restrictions as numbers of infections rose again.

Advice from SAGE in September was only acted upon in early November and the Christmas relaxation had to be hastily reversed.

Schools were told to open in January and 24 hours later were told to close again.

Personal Protective Equipment for NHS staff was in short supply and care homes were forgotten.

A stunning early garden display from reader Sandra DanceA stunning early garden display from reader Sandra Dance
A stunning early garden display from reader Sandra Dance
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Contracts were given, without public or parliamentary scrutiny, to friends or Tory donors to boost supplies, many of which proved to be useless and had to be destroyed.

The Trace and Contact scheme was also given to a member of the ‘chumocracy’ and was again extremely inefficient. We still do not know exactly how much profit was made by these people.

Because of Tory cuts to the NHS over 10 years we have far fewer hospital beds and medical personnel per population than most other European countries, putting huge strain on our health and care workers.

The result is that this country has the highest Covid death rate in Europe, over 120,000, compared with about 7,000 in Japan which has a bigger population.

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Yes, the vaccination roll-out has been more successful, mainly because the NHS, local authorities and unpaid volunteers have worked together, rather than it being contracted out to more Tory pals.

Also the Government did order large amounts of vaccines and gave approval very quickly where other countries were more cautious, awaiting the outcome of more trials.

We also owe a big debt to the pharmaceutical companies and universities who set to work early last year to develop vaccines.

I have been impressed that in my local shops people have worn masks and tried to observe social distancing.

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We have to hope that the gradual relaxation of restrictions works. Boris does seem to be acting more cautiously at last.

- Veronica Hardstaff, Sheffield 10

School return virus danger

How on earth can they say all restrictions off by June while not everyone has yet been vaccinated and kids going back to school are just spreading the virus?

I agree kids should be educated but they do not get symptoms like adults do and yet they are carrying it on to adults, grandparents, vulnerable people etc. It’s silly.

If the Goverment would have (from day one) closed all borders, and made it illegal for anyone to go from place to place, distributed all food from every supermarket, a month’s supply to every household, the country wouldn't have been in as much debt as we are at the minute.

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It wouldn't have cost the country more than one month’s pay for all and after one month we would be clear – but instead they closed then reopened, spreading the virus, and almost one year later the disease has over spread, thousands have died, businesses have gone under, thousands have lost their jobs and borders have not ever closed, therefore spreading the virus.

One big mess overall, not great really. I’m not looking forward to everything reopening, I’m expecting the virus numbers to increase and another shutdown. Really stupid – but what do we know?

- Michelle White, By email

Please get the vaccine

If anyone else has decided not to be vaccinated because they don't believe that they need it, I urge them to reconsider.

I do not know whether I will personally be safer if I take up the offer of vaccination but I am as sure as I can be that it will make others safer.

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I am not elderly, my general health is good and my background is a favoured one that means I am less likely to have the disease seriously if I do get it. That is not the point.

Like nearly everything we have been asked to do, or not to do, the risk to me does not matter. What matters is that what I do puts others at risk.

I might not need to be vaccinated, but others do need me to be, urgently. When I am offered the vaccine, I will take it. The more people who do so, the safer we will all be.

- J Robin Hughes, Worrall, S35

Keir should lead charge

Keir Starmer is doing the rounds in interviews saying he won’t be demanding Matt Hancock’s resignation as he thinks it’s not what people really want.

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What a job Hancock has had the last year, who would want to be in his shoes, but I find the fact he’s been giving out contracts to his mates (yes, he has them) disgusting.

He’s been found out yet there seems to be no punishment for this crime – that’s what he should be getting the sack for and Keir should be leading the charge but the man has no fighting spirit.

I could never have voted Labour with the last bloke in charge and at this rate Keir’s not getting my vote either. Boris is wiping the floor with him and it’s a pathetic sight to see.

- Jayne Grayson, Sheffield S35

Reckless spending

A well put-together letter by Steve Hardcastle (Let’s Talk, February 16) and I acknowledge many points he commented.

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However, it may have sounded very well for Jeremy Corbyn to spend money to increase the wellbeing of ordinary people when he was Labour leader.

But his spending plans for the good of everyone were unaffordable and reckless and would have bankrupted the country.

If Sir Keir Starmer is purple Labour, were John Smith, Harold Wilson and Clement Attlee the same colour of the party?

- S Smith, Sheffield S1

Schools could cut holidays

The only way for our kids to claw back their education is to cut back on school holidays for a couple of years.

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We have the council threatening to raise the rates and the power companies putting £95 on our tariffs.

All these rises should be frozen for two years, so that people that were thrown out of work during the pandemic can build up their cash again.

Now that we are out of the shackles of the EU, we should go back to the old monetary way of pounds, shillings and pence.

If you remember there was 240 pence in the £. When we went decimal we only got 100p. So reverting back to £SD would put more money into people’s pockets.

- John Bull, Sheffield S5

Referendum was voted for

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It seems that Chris Carter is at it again (Let's Talk, February 12).

I like having a read of the Let's Talk page, some interesting articles and regular inputs from a number of locals and some far afield in Germany and Australia.

All voice their opinions on various matters and I firmly support their right to that opinion, whether I agree with them or not.

Some are humorous, some serious, some and in particular John C Fowler, are reminders of the past and family life etc, I do enjoy yours John, please keep them coming.

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Also quite a few from Terry Palmer who makes me chuckle when he winds some people up. Good on you, too, Terry, keep them coming.

Unfortunately, there are a few from Chris Carter. I didn't know that Chris was or maybe still is a Liberal Democrat for the S6 area. A somewhat strange title for a political person – the word Democrat is what I'm referring to.

Here we have Chris bleating on again about rejoining the EU, even though there was a democratic referendum taken in this country that resulted in a vote to leave the European Union. Not really very democratic that, Chris.

In his correspondence Chris mentions that we (Brexit) did not expect that we would cut off all contact culturally, scientifically and with trade etc etc.

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He firmly believes we (Brexit) made a mistake in leaving but can't admit to it.

How wrong are you, Chris, when you see the reports where the EU customs officers intentionally and with some spite hold up British exports due to the word ‘goods’ being used on a consignment of paperwork and those goods held up for a week until new paperwork was provided with the word ‘goods’ changed for the word ‘products’.

Or when the wrong shade of blue was used in a pen. Am I glad we've left? You betcha.

Our so-called European partners showed their true side when Ursula von der Leyen threatened to take vaccine providers Astra Zeneca to court for failing to provide the EU with vaccines destined for the UK.

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The EU was left at the starting blocks when the rush for sufficient vaccines was instigated.

As I sit here typing, well over 17 million UK citizens, including myself, have had at least the first of the doses required,whilst the hierarchy of the ‘elite EU’ still sit and argue.

I like a good laugh and always enjoy a good joke or two, however, seeing Chris's attempt at humour over the last couple of weeks hardly raised a titter.

I’ve sat and penned a joke especially for you, Chris: how do you confuse a Liberal politician from S6? Call him a Democrat.

That will surely leave him scratching his head.

- Ron Sanderson, Intake S12

Milestone for Air Cadets

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This month marks the 80th anniversary of the RAF Air Cadets and the RAF Benevolent Fund has joined forces with the youth organisation to help mark the milestone.Throughout their 80-year history the air cadets have been inspiring their members to go on to great things, whether that be as part of the Royal Air Force itself or further afield.

From Olympic medals and Oscar nominations to topping the charts or even becoming a NASA astronaut.Linford Christie OBE, Tom Fletcher, Dr Michael Foale, Rory Underwood MBE and Richard Burton were all members of this extraordinary youth organisation.Throughout the years cadets have played a key role in helping us to be there for the RAF family, whether that’s raising money, supporting events or helping to raise awareness.To celebrate this anniversary, the RAF Benevolent Fund has launched an online book collecting memories from former and current members, asking them to share what their time as an air cadet meant to them.

Visit rafbf.org/aircadets for more information.

- Mike Straney, director fundraising and communications, RAF Benevolent Fund (and former RAF Air Cadet)

Basic rights for workers

You may be aware that recently the Supreme Court ruled Uber drivers should be given workers’ rights, but what you might not know is that this landmark judgment will have repercussions for others working in the gig economy.

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Leigh Day is also representing Addison Lee drivers and Stuart couriers in similar workers’ rights claims.

Both of these companies currently use contracts that class people working for them as ‘independent contractors’ which means they are not entitled to workers’ rights.

This judgement should be heeded as a warning to companies with a similar business model that they cannot continue to operate in this way.

We hope the Supreme Court’s decision helps Addison Lee and Stuart to recognise that the people working for them should be given the basic rights such as holiday pay and the National Minimum wage.

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After all, all these people are asking for is to be treated fairly.

- Michael Newman, partner in the employment team at Leigh Day

*In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor