We need a clear plan for lifting the lockdown, otherwise the damage will be great

Please send your letters to letters@independent.co.uk

Like most people in this country, I’m keen to do my best to minimise the spread of the virus and I live in hope of better times returning soon.

Unfortunately, my hopes are repeatedly dashed by the uninspiring ministers who fill the airwaves with meaningless waffle. They claim to be learning from other countries before pointing out why comparisons can’t be made and say they’re trying to obtain crucial supplies while failing to do so.

It is clear to me now that their overriding political motivation is to manage this crisis according to the availability, or lack thereof, of critical equipment, in order to ensure that the relentlessly lionised NHS appears to cope and that the government can then bask in its reflected glory.

Sadly, this strategy takes no account of the economic or social impact of lockdown and places the biggest burden on those least able to cope.

The country is crying out for genuine leadership. We need to hear that we can only really move forward by accepting the ongoing presence of coronavirus and by doing our best to equip the NHS for the consequent level of cases.

Without a clear plan and some hope for the future, there will be serious, long-term damage to society.

Ian Richards
Birmingham

Those in need

I was distraught by May Bulman’s piece about Ismail and his two daughters and would be happy to get some food and basics delivered to them.

I also live in Hackney and find it heart-wrenching that someone has to go without food.

Although I know there are many more like them and unfortunately, I alone can’t help everyone, please forward my email to the Ismail family should they want my help.

Magnus Gjoen
Address supplied

A strong opposition

While it was widely agreed that Sir Keir Starmer made an excellent debut at prime minister’s questions, I feel we need a stronger response to the constant government defence of hiding behind the science. The buck stops with Boris Johnson, plain and simple.

The leader of the opposition must not accept any excuses for our nation suffering so many appalling deaths when so many others countries have kept their death rates lower.

So, if the chief medical officer and his team are not up to the job, the government should appoint a new one and improve the science.

Paul Morrison
Address supplied

Air sports games for free

The issue of whether the football season should be voided or continue through hell and high water is not the point of this letter. However, I am aware that possibly the main issue is the loss of TV money and the subsequent financial meltdown.

For argument’s sake, why not, as a possible one-off, make every Premier League game available on TV? This would more than mitigate the TV companies and increase the choice to supporters. My view is that the availability of every game live on TV is going to happen, so why not use the current circumstances to see if it works, the possible effect on lower leagues’ attendances and see if it is what the fans want?

N Smith
West Sussex

Let the elderly decide their own fate

The best news to come out of France in recent weeks is the U-turn made by President Macron on his earlier decision to continue the confinement of the over-70s after the rest of the population was set free on 11 May.

His pensioner spokespersons warned: “The prolonged containment of elderly people will cause great physical and mental suffering, and almost certainly lead to a loss of the will to live.”

Macron accepted this, saying “the Swedish option will be available” ie the final decision will be left to the individual. How I wish we “oldies” were allowed such personal freedom by Holyrood and Westminster.

John Cameron
St Andrews

Strongly disagree

Under the heading “Hancock for PM”, you printed a letter from a lady in Nottingham saying that Matt Hancock’s “calm and lucid briefings are exemplary”.

In the words of a well-known Wimbledon player some years ago: “You cannot be serious!” Or, if the intention was irony, I fear it didn’t come across.

Rosemary Mathew
Cambridge