Even in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, we just can’t keep away from each other – and this is why

Send your letters to letters@independent.co.uk

As a locked-down French resident, and psychotherapist with a passion for understanding the fact that we are (biologically speaking) animals, I’ve been fascinated to watch the unfolding of government attempts to persuade us to voluntarily maintain physical distance from each other. Largely, they have failed, and regulation has been necessary to achieve their aims.

In this letter, I’m offering my perspective on why that approach has failed, and why, in a sense, we’re not to blame.

There is plenty of evidence that human beings do not make rational decisions. In situations of threat and therefore of fear, a whole raft of unconscious, automatic survival mechanisms kick in and most of those don’t take us in the direction that the government would like us to go.

Firstly, we are pack animals. We find safety in groups, and go to them.

Secondly, often without realising it, we regulate our organisms by doing things that activate the parasympathetic nervous system, ie calm us down.

Thirdly, despite seeing evidence of illness in others, human beings aren’t good at reacting to threats that we can’t see.

An understanding of how our unconsciousness functions may well help governments to work with, not against, our nature as human-animals in order to protect us all.

Bridget Holding
Address supplied

Keep your letter, prime minister

Boris Johnson has apparently had sufficient time in his hands while working from home to write to me and my fellow citizens (‘The government will do whatever it takes to help you put food on the table’: Boris Johnson’s letter to the UK in full).

What a waste of money. I had much rather he’d given it to the NHS. They urgently need PPE and ventilators. Despite weeks of warning, his government has singularly failed to deliver. Failed. Failed. And failed again.

Beryl Wall
London W4

No wonder the health workers are struggling to get personal protection equipment (PPE) when it seems most of the population have it, often discarding used masks, and gloves in the street.

The ones who really need them are saving lives right now. Yet, eBay and Amazon, and other sites, sell them at inflated prices. Added to this, the government has repeatedly failed to stockpile, since the internal market ceased to be effective. And Boris wants to write to us at a cost of over £5m and say its money well spent. I think not.

Yours sincerely,

Gary Martin
London E17

Magic money Tories

If only the previous Conservative governments had looked a bit harder, they might have discovered the magic money tree earlier. Who knows? They could have avoided unnecessary austerity, and they would be in a better position to properly fund our NHS, so it would be ready to cope with the current outbreak.

G Forward
Stirling

Clemency for Nazanin

In this crisis hit period surely it is now time for the Iranians to release Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe so that she can return to Britain, her husband and daughter.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe has surely “served her time” for the crime for which she was found guilty. I am sure that if the Iran government can find it in their heart to show clemency, and release her to return to Britain, it would enrich their standing in the world.

So I am making a direct heartfelt appeal to president Hassan Rouhani: “Sir, since 2013 you have presided over your country to the best of your ability, I am sure, and with all the wisdom and experience you have gained please look favourably on the case of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. To show clemency in her case to release her back into the arms of her family would elevate your governments humanitarian standing. Thank you.”

Keith Poole
Basingstoke

Dear Tennis players

I heard on the grapevine that Wimbledon has been cancelled and the French Open has been postponed to the Autumn, clashing with other competitions making it difficult for professional tennis players to make the same money as usual.

Sorry for your trouble. Cancelled or postponed tennis matches must be the worst of the first world problems you are facing these days. Gentle letdown for you: tennis doesn’t matter. People’s lives matter – especially the lives of healthcare workers who will look after your tennis elbows and your hurt knees when the time comes.

Alison Hackett
Address supplied