Read the two letters to the editor, referring to the article “Covid lockdown rules more divisive than Brexit, survey finds”, and answer question.
Your article about the survey on the population’s views on covid-19 policy was very interesting (Covid lockdown rules more divisive than Brexit, survey finds, 11 Sep). It seems to focus on the judgments made by people of other people’s actions.
The survey appears to demonstrate more hatred and division, but I would question that. I think it could be demonstrating that there is more confusion and anxiety, which has voiced itself in the language of hostility. Maybe this was increased by the type of questions asked, but I don’t know how those questions were phrased.
The reason for writing is to ask that we try to calm troubled waters rather than fan them by highlighting division and anger. Our population did an amazing thing in the early months of 2020 by staying away from each other to stop the transmission of a deadly virus for the vulnerable members of our society. We need to feel proud of that.
Barbara Mark
Ludlow, Shropshire, UK
Robert Booth’s article reminds us how divided a society Britain has become, and how, for a brief period, the “all in this together” logic of the pandemic united us. My research on public generosity to foodbanks and other charities shows an unprecedented surge in donations at the beginning of the lockdown. Sadly, goodwill closely followed infection rates. Donations are back at the pre-coronavirus level. Poverty and unemployment have continued to increase and will rise further as the recession, Brexit and the austerity programme we face next year bite.
How do we move from a divided country to a stronger sense of community? A start would be a government that recognises the contribution that relatively low-paid workers in shops, cafes, care homes, nurseries and hospitals make to our society and raise the so-called living wage to real living wage levels. It could go on to promote fair taxes and enrol an army of tax inspectors to make sure City fat cats pay their share.
Peter Taylor-Gooby
Professor of social policy, University of Kent, UK
(www.theguardian.com, 13.09.2020. Adapted.)
In the context of the first paragraph of the second letter, the statement “goodwill closely followed infection rates” means that, in Britain this year,
