Relaxation of Covid rules at Christmas is yet another shambolic government pandemic decision - YEP letters

Listening to Dr Bharat Pankhania, Senior Clinical Lecturer, University of Exeter, regarding the suggestion of a Christmas relaxation of restrictions, our Prime Minister, and especially the Health Secretary Matt Hancock, would achieve more by contacting and listening to Dr Pankhania, who talks more sense that the whole government cabinet put together.

Dr Pankhania talks eloquently whilst applying a total common sense approach, as does Good Morning Britain’s Dr Hilary Jones and the scientific advisors to the government but does the PM listen to anyone outside his inner circle? Likely answer, no. Instead, he preferred to listen to the likes of Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain, now departed from No 10.

The relaxation of Christmas restrictions will mean the likelihood of a five day period most probably becoming nine or 10 days, especially in Scotland where Hogmanay is a more favoured celebration event.

Also, many people tend to make Christmas to New Year a “chill out” period. That in itself will ultimately add to the so called “authorised” relaxation period by many who will continue to be abusive of the rules. Is a few days of joyous merriment for one year in people’s lives really worth the potential, and disastrous, aftermath and strain on the NHS?

A recent survey resulted in over 75 per cent of those surveyed saying no.

If the mentioned days of relaxation will then be followed by a further five days of lockdown for each day of relaxation then that could possibly mean a new lockdown period of up to 45 days going into 2021?

What an abusive, frustrating period such a government decision would create with people travelling extensively throughout the country at will, perhaps visiting motorway service areas, gathering in larger numbers thereby adding increased stress on the NHS, care homes etc etc. It will likely prove to be a disaster and will be yet another shambolic government pandemic decision.