I AM dismayed at the lack of importance shown by governments, the media and people in general about the issue of long Covid.
23 years ago I contracted viral meningitis, which left me with a permanent headache and tinnitus. I consider myself to be lucky as things could have been much worse.
Having said, that my post-viral condition caused me to have to take early retirement.
We are told that around a million, mostly young, people have long Covid and that a significant percentage will likely suffer from it for the rest of their lives. I believe that my condition is similar to long Covid and it is horrible. I can assure you that you do not want it.
READ MORE: Scotland records 19 coronavirus deaths and 2086 cases in 24 hours
Absolutely nothing that the NHS has ever done has helped. In fact, everything that has been tried has only made matters worse. There was a slight flurry of activity from doctors initially but then virtually nothing.
Our Clown Minister and his Westminster government seem to be consciously about to make things worse with their total opening up on “Freedom Day”. There will be more deaths and many more people contracting long Covid.
I for one will continue to wear a mask indoors and around gatherings of people. I will also be maintaining social distance for a long time to come. We are not safe until everyone is fully vaccinated.
If you want to perhaps die or get serious long Covid that is your right. I think that you are stupid to take the risk.
Harry Key
Largoward, Fife
NOW that Boris has decided that the wearing of masks in public spaces is simply a matter of “personal responsibility”, I have to wonder why this Tory concept could not be extended to the likes of the use of car seat belts, drink driving, smoking in public places, speeding, drug dealing and various other antisocial activities.
Surely if it is now acceptable to put your life and health in danger, and infect complete strangers with a potentially life-threatening or life-changing disease, it must be equally OK to inflict the potential effects of excess drink, drugs, smoke or excess speed on other people.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has now apologised for “an error of judgement” in scrapping most coronavirus restrictions. The easing, three weeks ago, led to infection levels surging to their highest this year. Curbs on bars, restaurants and nightclubs have now been re-imposed. Previously Mr Rutte had refused to take any blame for the opening up, describing it as a “logical step”.
READ MORE: Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh: This is the stark truth about Scotland’s coronavirus death toll
As hospital beds, and especially ICU beds, in England again fill up with Covid sufferers, Boris and co are simply passing responsibility, and more importantly blame, from his government to the general public.
Here in Scotland the First Minister is at least sounding a louder note of caution, but the message is getting a wee bit muddled. There is an ever-changing red, green and amber list of tempting holiday destinations but a general recommendation against travelling to any of them. Without consulting the internet, I’m not sure how many folk from how many households I can currently meet either indoors or out. In any case I don’t think there is enough room in my garden to space out 15 people all a metre apart, or is it still two metres this week?
I will simply try to keep away from as many people as possible and wear a mask in every indoor situation for the foreseeable future. However I noticed during my latest weekly late-night shopping expedition a distinct increase in the number of my fellow shoppers without masks.
We should not ignore the fact that people are still dying and ending up in hospitals every day of the week. In Scotland it is back to double figures. Every death is a personal tragedy and every hospital patient a potential victim of long Covid.
The next few weeks and even months could see a gradual return to what passes for normal or a swift return to the lockdown of a few months ago. Clearly it is up to the behaviour of the general public, and hopefully the success of the vaccination programme, to determine which one.
Brian Lawson
Paisley
I WAS somewhat surprised to see remarks by Jean Bell in the “Website Comments” that sought to conflate England fans jeering other national anthems with a minority of Celtic fans’ equally dreadful behaviour during the minute’s silence on Remembrance Sunday.
Ms Bell’s point appears to be that other fans or the club itself can control the behaviour of these recalcitrant people, which can be exceptionally difficult in most circumstances. Groups of football supporters reflect society and are not a homogeneous faction just because they support the same club or country.
The Celtic FC foundation has raised £300,000 for local vulnerable families and pensioners during the course of the pandemic in an effort to help those most in need. Similarly, Motherwell FC are currently providing free season tickets to the unemployed and low-income families in addition to all their other charity works, at this time of great economic uncertainty.
Most football clubs have a minority of supporters who behave in an unacceptable manner due to a warped sense of history, bigotry or sheer ignorance. It is a mistake, however, to tar them all with the same brush or to highlight only one club in Scotland as being guilty of unacceptable conduct.
Owen Kelly
Stirling
KEVIN Foster’s scaremongering is not new (Expert rubbishes Tory minister's 'great wall of Gretna claim, July 15) – Jim Murphy did the same from his Irn-bru crate at the Glasgow Barras in 2014. Either Foster is bereft of brain matter or just plain stupid – this would create another border for Northern Ireland. It’s simply Tories misleading the public and shows the contemptuous attitude to Scotland and its people.
Glen Peters
Paisley
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