The only moral course of action open to Boris Johnson now is to resign

If Boris Johnson’s response to Dominic Cumming’s allegations is that they worked night and day doing the best they could to save lives and protect the NHS, and that effort resulted in one of the highest death rates in the world, surely the only moral course of action open to the prime minister and his cabinet is resignation?

Geoff Forward

Stirling

Dominic Cummings gave evidence that he tried to introduce a Taiwan-type response to Covid early in the pandemic. But by then it was far too late. Taiwan’s pandemic response was planned and led by the country’s then vice-president Chen Chien-jen, an epidemiologist.

During the Sars crisis of 2003, Chen as health minister prepared the island for the next outbreak by building isolation wards, virus research laboratories and disease surveillance system.

Dr John Doherty

Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire

For the past few months I’ve been reading Dominic Cummings’s internet output and, today, listened to his cross-examination by MPs. My overall worried view is that for an unelected representative he wielded too much power in government.

His revelations about the government’s shortcomings seem to be unhelpful, leaning on the malicious. However, it doesn’t negate Johnson’s absurd, inept handling of the pandemic or exit from the EU.

I don’t know what use Cummings’s interrogation will be to improve British people’s future, other than to serve as another distraction.

Keith Poole

Basingstoke

I read Adam Forrest’s report about the MP Nadia Whittome taking time off work for her PTSD condition. I too would commend her bravery for being up front about needing time and space to recover from her mental health condition.

I am pleased too that she was met with support from Keir Starmer. This is an affirmative sign that mental health in the workplace is justifiably being taken seriously, There is much inherently wrong with working practices in this country, but this is one sphere that hopefully compassion and empathy is winning through and that people such as Nadia feel they have the autonomy to place their wellbeing first and not languish in the dire hinterland of struggling on, when their mental health is being impacted disastrously.

Hopefully the days are disappearing when men and women were told to get a grip and pull themselves together. How many people suffered so calamitously as a result and often in silence?

So well done Nadia. You have done the right thing and every good wish for your recovery.

Judith A Daniels

Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

Beccy Speight is cogent to pinpoint that we are in the midst of an environmental emergency. The epic battle between humanity and microbes has been raging since time immemorial. However, the coronavirus pandemic has illustrated the link between capitalism, environmental degradation and mass displacement, dispossession, and economic isolation.

Humanity stands at a critical juncture. Humans are inextricably enmeshed within the natural world, rather than separate from it. Time to initiate cooperative efforts to preserve the integrity, beauty, richness and vigour of mother nature.

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob

London