There were 359 Covid deaths yesterday. Why have restrictions been scrapped?

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It seems rather like stopping taking a course of tablets because the patient is feeling better. The patient could become very unwell again (PA)

Am I the only person who is angry that on the day when 359 new Covid-related deaths were recorded in the UK, it was felt appropriate to remove all restrictions, including the wearing of masks in shops and on public transport?

Have we, as a country, decided that more than 1,800 deaths per week is a price worth paying for the freedom of the less vulnerable members of our society?

My suspicion is that our lame duck prime minister, so desperate to save his own job, is seeking to appease those Conservative MPs who seemingly believe that any minor restriction is a restriction too far. I am disgusted.

Rosemary Macri

Clanfield, Hampshire

On Tuesday, the UK recorded the highest daily death toll from Covid for 11 months. On Wednesday, the prime minister announced the end of all meaningful measures to reduce the spread of this disease.

I fear it is no coincidence that, also on Tuesday, he was forced to admit that he did not realise the Downing Street parties might be against the rules. Even if he was telling the truth, it was a damning admission of his failure to understand his responsibilities.

Nor can it be a coincidence that, as a result of all the other recent disclosures, he desperately needs support from certain sections of his party who have opposed from the outset any form of public health measures.

If it wasn’t clear enough before, it must be clear now that the national interest is being held hostage and is utterly irrelevant to this man’s vanity, greed and self-interest. What has happened to the UK?

Charles Wood

Birmingham

I am a little discombobulated by news that all restrictions are being removed while Covid infection rates are falling, but still remain at a very high level.

It seems rather like stopping taking a course of tablets because the patient is feeling better. The patient could become very unwell again.

Cole Davis

Norwich

A sense of true belonging

I think many of us were surprised at how quickly outwardly-normal people were rabble-roused and recruited by the various anti-vax and anti-lockdown factions.

If the pandemic fizzles out next week – which it won’t – will all those zealots who now feel a sense of true belonging, possibly for the first time ever, just go back to their humdrum lives without any causes or dates in their diary?

Tragically for everyone, I’m afraid the answer is a resounding no.

Robert Boston

Kingshill, Kent

The nation deserves better than Boris Johnson

We are told that the Conservative MPs are turning against Boris Johnson now because they fear that he has become an “electoral liability”.

In other words, just so long as enough people can be conned into voting for them, the party have been prepared to tolerate the fact that he treats the public and the rule of law with contempt, that he is unable to take personal responsibility and be accountable for his actions, and that he consistently and shamelessly lies in order to get himself out of a corner.

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They will continue to cheer his vacuous commitment to “levelling up”, claim that he “got Brexit done”, ignore the cost-of-living crisis that is impacting the most vulnerable in our society, and forget the unacceptable loss of life caused by his government’s irresponsible leadership during the pandemic, for as long as he and they can get away with it and keep their comfortable jobs.

The nation deserves better than this. Our children should be growing up in a society that is led by those whose values are founded on honesty, openness, trust, sincerity and care. Instead of which, we have a charlatan in control supported by those who, it is becoming increasingly clear, have no concern or plan for a future beyond that which is expedient in the short-term.

Until Tory MPs – and the nation – reclaim their moral principles, they will continue to tolerate Johnson; the electorate will grow tired of the current scandal, inexcusable behaviour will be forgotten and the huckster will return to peddling snake oil to the credulous. Cheers! Another drink anyone?

Graham Powell

Cirencester