THE screens being installed around supermarket tills are very necessary.

Some animal spat over our grand-daughter, a university student, who was working on a till at Asda, Pipps Hill, Basildon.

All because Asda had run out of plastic bags, absolute low life!

Keith and Angela Newman

Rayleigh

Medical staff need and deserve PPE

When this coronavirus crisis began to escalate in the UK just over a couple of weeks ago our Prime Minister stood in front of the nation and said that he wanted to level with the British public and be honest.

He told us that hospitals and healthcare settings would have all essential personal protective equipment (PPE) within days. He said that there were no supply issues.

So I ask, why on earth do we find ourselves in a situation where frontline staff at Southend Hospital say they are told they can work in situations of high-risk of infection with reduced levels of PPE.

Why have our dedicated workers had the World Health Organisation recommended PPE standards watered down by Public Health England?

Medics at the hospital have now written to management warning that they could “limit services” to patients with coronavirus “to a bare minimum”, over fears for their own safety. They say they are absolutely not receiving the correct PPE.

As many as a quarter of Southend’s medical staff are off sick with coronavirus symptoms.

Those left are having PPE rationed because there is limited stock and sickeningly staff are reporting that what is available is being locked away from them and is not accessible.

Staff are justifiably petrified for themselves and their own families as most have still not been tested for the virus.

So please, when you next clap for the NHS please also take five minutes to e-mail your MP to ask why so little regard is being paid to our frontline medical and care staff.

Rachelle Stone Roots Hall Drive, Southend

It’s about time MPs support the NHS

HOW heartening to see the many messages of support in your pages for our wonderful NHS.

Much appreciated is the backing of our local Members of Parliament, who have all suddenly come to appreciate the value of health service workers.

Let no one forget that all of these MPs either abstained or voted against giving the public sector a pay rise, and protecting the NHS from privatisation.

Long may their enlightenment continue.

BARRY ALLUM Southborough Drive, Westcliff