Fear isn’t always bad in a crisis – especially if it’s Covid

Desmond Swayne accused the government of “twisting the fear lever”. This is a bit rich when he and his Brexiteer pals used “project fear” to demonise Remainers.

Fear is not such a bad thing, anyway. Without legitimate fear of threats and dangers, the human race (and most other species) would not have survived till now. If we don’t fear the virus, and react accordingly, we may be in deep trouble.

David Watson

Henley-on-Thames

This has been another turbulent, terrible year, due to the pandemic. Carers across the country have seen more tragic loss and are battered, bruised and exhausted. They, and the doctors, nurses, GPs and emergency services who continue to bear the brunt of Covid-19, again deserve our thanks. We owe them all a huge debt of gratitude.

The echo of Thursday evening clapping seems a distant memory but their hard work, commitment and sacrifice is not diminished. There will be little respite this festive period as they give up their holidays in the fight to keep us all safe and well.

We will only defeat Covid-19 and rebuild social care if government, care providers and the NHS all work together. The first part of any concerted, joint approach is listening. So, if I have a wish for 2022 it is that the government listens and works with those of us delivering care so that we can get through the pandemic and build a sector that is fit for purpose. A sector where those going without the care they need start to get it and the amazing but undervalued staff delivering care get the recognition, and pay, they deserve.

The vulnerable people we care for and the amazing people delivering that care, up and down the country, deserve that hope as we step tentatively forward into the unknown of another year.

Mike Padgham

Managing director of Saint Cecilia’s Care Group, Scarborough

Common sense tells me that people smugglers are hardly likely to accompany their “asylum prisoners” across the Channel – and risk getting caught themselves.

I am left speechless at the cruelty of harshly punishing people who are desperate, and mostly not a security threat to Britain, and the brazen “keep out” attitudes and policies of this government.

Wendy Draper

Winchester

Why is the cancellation of GPs’ normal work prioritised – delaying the diagnosis and the treatment of other serious conditions – when it appears clear that requiring proof of vaccination to enter bars and other public places will persuade all but the most unregenerate to get jabs?

A new vaccination service staffed by easily-trained lay people working under the supervision of one clinician per clinic is needed. This would free GPs, hospital medics, pharmacists and nurses for other, more complicated, health issues and reduce the cost of what is likely to be an annual exercise.

Dr John Cameron

St Andrews, Scotland

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Whatever uncaring Tory rebels may think, by proposing and passing the latest Covid legislation and by working closely with Chris Whitty, Boris Johnson has done the right thing and acted in the interests of the nation at large and our beloved NHS.

Instead of people criticising him, they should be understanding of the circumstances our country is facing.

Unlike the Conservative rebels, Boris understands the mood of the nation. So does Wes Streeting, Labour’s new shadow health secretary. Both understand how fast Omicron is spreading and how it could put so much pressure on our beloved NHS.

What the rebels need to realise is that for Labour to be seen as bailing the government out only exposes the own-goal the rebels have scored – it will gain Labour a greater respect from the public in election campaigns to come.

Geoffrey Brooking

Havant, Hampshire