Let’s not forget civil servants during this crisis – their work is just as valuable as those on the front line

At this time of crisis, it is right that those on the front line – nurses, doctors, carers, supermarket staff, delivery drivers and refuse collectors as well as post office employees, etc – are recognised and applauded. It would be invidious to leave anyone out and there are many others we see every day conscientiously going about their business and continuing to work in difficult circumstances.

However, please let us not forget those behind the scenes: the civil servants, routinely sneered at and derided, often because of the systems they are obliged to administer.

Please recognise that many are now working extremely long hours, possibly without a break over Easter, in order to deal with the massive effort to provide benefits to those who have lost their incomes (nearly 10 times the normal level of applications over the past two weeks) in order that people have the ability to support their families, and also to provide support to keep industry and commerce going.

All those continuing to work should be recognised and applauded for making a vital contribution to the national effort.

Arthur Streatfield
Bath

It’s interesting how some journalists like to compare how certain more “dictatorial” governments like say China or Russia are responding to the coronavirus, compared to how much more “liberal” and “democratic” a state we are.

Given that we are currently being reduced to a “lockdown” that has curtailed our civil liberties and freedom of movement, surely such nonsense ought to be examined in the cold light of day.

Within my own lifetime, I remember the Tories closing the Dartford Tunnel to stop striking miners picketing and Thatcher’s introduction of the most draconian anti-trade union laws which are still on our statute books.

The British with our history of empire have always been prone to a small-minded “behave yourself” mentality. We have always self-policed.

Apart from world wars, the only other times that our civil liberties have been so sorely curtailed was during the 1926 general strike.

Sure, Boris Johnson needs to take crisis measures to fight this virus but I have this sinking feeling that the powers that be rather enjoy this and would be happy to make some measures permanent.

Mark Holt
Liverpool

A considerable amount of media attention has been given to the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) provided to NHS frontline workers, but as people who come into daily contact with our society’s most vulnerable – and likely infected – people, those working in the social care system must not be forgotten.

Without adequate protection, we risk putting even more strain on our already overstretched NHS – with potentially disastrous results.

Dr Jermaine Ravalier
Address supplied

Germany’s health service has proved better equipped than the NHS. Their investment in human and financial resources have clearly gone into socially beneficial purposes. The nuclear deterrent does not keep the nation safe from a pandemic. When will our government revise its spending priorities? The billions due to be spent on Continuous At-Sea Deterrence is needed to repair the nation.

Canon Christopher Hall
Banbury

It would be interesting to know how many politicians are out helping in their constituencies while parliament is on its Easter break. I’m sure the NHS, food banks or care homes would be more than happy to have their help. Maybe the government could volunteer to help in hospitals, I’m sure protective equipment would be found for them.

R Wells
Portland

The postponement of the COP26 meeting is understandable. It must not, however, be taken as an excuse for any lessening of commitments to combating the climate crisis at home or abroad.

Here in Britain, for example, there will eventually have to be reassessments of the government’s commitment to HS2 and airport expansion. This in the light of what will be very changed economic circumstances.

We know too that in the long term, there could be a close relation between pandemics such as the coronavirus and the climate emergency. Going forward, clearly action on both must go hand in hand.

Andrew McLuskey
Address supplied