The government’s lockdown easing is more about keeping a tiny percentage rich than it is about the economy

In the wake of the human, social and economic carnage of the last three months, clear thinking is already being lost to poor leadership and a lack of imagination.

As the furlough scheme peters out and the redundancies pile up, competing calls from politicians to get the economy moving by urging a back-to-normal drive are desperate but are also incredibly wrong.

The economy has become a euphemism for making a tiny percentage of the population incredibly wealthy and keeping the vast majority struggling, in debt or just plain poor. There will be a brief period as countries around the globe – and especially in the socially entrenched west – have the fluidity to think differently. However, those invested – literally and ideologically – in returning to the pre-Covid system that benefitted them so disproportionately are already on the offensive.

If a slum accidentally burns down you don’t rebuild the slum, you build something better. The tiny minority at the top who benefitted from our global slum economy are already fighting to re-establish it. Those who want a better world need to get their act together.

Amanda Baker
Edinburgh

The notion of opening pubs on a hot Saturday in July rests on one hope from Boris Johnson: by the end of that evening, the hordes of happy drinkers pressed together in pubs that are equally delighted with their takings will be singing Johnson’s praises.

Forget the 65,000 excess deaths, ignore the overwhelmed NHS with an estimated 10 million expected to be on waiting lists, don’t give a moment’s thought to every decision being at the wrong time, or the fact that we are not prepared again for the inevitable second spike in coronavirus cases.

Did the government not consider or consult the police about the possibility of a quiet weekday opening? It could have initially worked with reduced hours, which would work to gently bring us back to incorporating pubs into our social lives.

I fear anything can be sacrificed at the altar of publicity for this pathetic leader.

Robert Murray
Nottingham

I had a Covid-19 test last week which, although not a pleasant experience, was efficiently arranged and performed. What was really amazing is that the result only took four hours and ten minutes to be announced by email. Marvellous!

However, I was surprised to be the only person in the queue and while in the area of the testing facility for twenty minutes saw no one else being tested or waiting. At seventy years old I am grateful for the advice given by the experts which has kept me safe.

Just one more thing. I was wondering if the much-reduced activity of the human race has caused this wonderful weather we are having. If so, could we think of ways to prolong the wonderful weather without Covid-19?

Keith Poole
Basingstoke

Why is the government easing lockdown when we have 43,000 dead?

How can we tell young people to be careful and not have raves and parties when we allow pubs to pack punters in with just one metre of space between people?

Look at Bournemouth yesterday, it’s a disgrace.

Peter Mcque
Address supplied

For somebody apparently interested in justice, Nels Abbey (If black lives matter, now is not the time to abandon the jury system, Voices, 24 June) does rather throw a lot of weight in favour of juries and against judges. As he may have noticed from his own experience on a jury, personal attributes may be more important than social background in affecting the demeanour of juries. Also, contrary to his claims, there are distinct limits as to how far judges can indulge their prejudices in sentencing; they and magistrates have to act within guidelines.

I am not arguing against his claim that the curtailing of juries for borderline offences may be damaging for justice. But I would prefer to hear a different opinion, not one which appears to stand almost completely on the merits of representativeness. If unfortunate enough to be tried in court, I personally would prefer my case to be heard by experienced judges or magistrates who are paying attention to its merits rather than a group of people who have their own set of often not too well-informed attitudes.

Cole Davis
Norwich

John Rentoul is usually an excellent source, with incisive analysis. However, I think he has missed the point about the failings of the government’s track and trace scheme (It’s not a fair contest at PMQs – Keir Starmer is even beating Boris Johnson at the parliamentary theatrics, Voices, 24 June).

The estimated total figure of infections is the only number that matters in assessing the effectiveness of test and trace. These are the individuals who will actually spread the disease. Accordingly, preventing a second spike will only happen if they are identified, which will require mass random testing of asymptomatic people.

That’s why WHO told the world to test, test, test. We chose not to.

Martin Collinson
Swansea