Sir, – Simon Fitzpatrick points out how Covid doesn't have a monopoly on public health (Letters, July 5th).
The list of contenders is actually far wider than those he points out, with detrimental implications to public health to be expected further down the line from this week’s separate announcements postponing the opening of the children’s hospital and cancelling the 2021 Dublin City Marathon.
The sooner we can learn to live with Covid, the better for everyone’s health.
– Is mise,
DAVE McCARTHY,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.
Sir, – The news about the cancellation of the 2021 Dublin City Marathon was sad but inevitable. The organisers’ hands were clearly tied by the uncertainty caused by the lack of a meaningful roadmap for reopening from the Government.
Sport and physical exercise are crucially important for both mental and physical health.
We need active encouragement of sporting events and activities – a fitter nation will be better able to manage this pandemic and the next, and will put less strain on our health services.
It’s certainly at least as important as opening pubs and restaurants yet is getting nothing like as much attention from the authorities.
It’s high time this changed.
– Yours, etc,
ROB ASHER,
Cabinteely,
Dublin 18.