Are we missing out because we never look up from our phones?
When was the last time you had a conversation with someone on your commute?
A reader writes in to MetroTalk, wondering how many special interactions we’re missing out on by staring down at our screens.
Meanwhile, readers respond to the government compensating victims of the infected blood scandal, wonder why sorry seems to be the hardest word, until you’re caught, and a vegan reader explains why have an ethical and moral case for refusing to be vaccinated.
Share your thoughts on these topics and more in the comments.
How else will we be invited to pagan parties?
Further to the replies to John Bradley asking whether he was alone in not rejoicing at news the London Underground was getting more mobile connectivity (MetroTalk, Wed).
Unfortunately, I very rarely travel on the Underground these days due to being a homeworker. But I was shocked on one journey when my phone rang while at a Tube station. ‘What the heck?!’
When travelling with my kids, they find it amusing (yet appreciate) how I get talking with like-minded folk.
They were laughing when I met a lovely gentleman who was spectacularly outfitted in the most extravagant attire.
We began a conversation, by the end of which he had invited me to a pagan party he was going to. Other conversations have led to similar invites – some quite enticingand some not so exciting.
But if more and more people have their faces aimed squarely at that unsocial device they so love, these conversations and invitations may become a thing of days gone by. Alps, via email
Celebs at Chelsea Flower Show and refusing to arrest
So-called celebrities at Chelsea Flower Show really annoy me. Why don’t they pay for their tickets? Ordinary folk could benefit by paying lower prices but overall income would remain the same. Henry Hannon, Bristol
I am shocked to hear officers have been told to consider making fewer arrests by the National Police Chiefs Council because of a lack of prison space.
No wonder there is more shoplifting andabuse of shopworkers, not to mention even more serious knife crime.
It gives you visions of someone being mugged or worse and ringing the police to be told, ‘Sorry that’s not on the list of arrests.’ I know this is an exaggeration but it does make you wonder where the line is drawn. It’s shocking, frightening and absolutely ludicrous. Corin, London
Does poverty cause people to steal?
I think it is a shame that, even in the 21st century, readers such as Graham (MetroTalk, Mon) believe poverty causes people to steal.
I have read about a number of famous wealthy people who shoplifted and were prosecuted. Stealing is a crime, whether thieves get prosecuted or not, and I believe most people would have too much pride to lower themselves to theft.Chas, London
Readers respond to the infected blood scandal
Your report quotes the head of the infected blood inquiry, Sir Brian Langstaff, as saying that the NHS, doctors and successive governments tried to hide the truth (Metro, Tue). As many as 30,000 people received blood products contaminated with HIV and hepatitis from the 1970s to 1990s.
Although they are not named it is likely that Sir Brian has a shrewd idea of at least some of the individuals responsible for this failure.
Even more amazing is the fact that among these people, there appears to have been not one single whistleblower; not one individual with the moral courage and decency to even speak out. Is the reason for this catastrophic failure to do so as simple as looking after number one?
While it is clear that the victims of the scandal deserve every penny of compensation that they get (and a lot more), surely those responsible should be named and shamed for their inhuman behaviour. Any doctor who shied away from blowing the whistle and went along with the cover-up should be struck off; nobody would want to be treated by such an unprincipled doctor.
As for the non-medical public servants, they should be barred from holding public office for life – they, too, had a duty of care for the public they were appointed to serve.
However, it seems unlikely that any such naming and shaming will ensue.
The weak moral calibre and cowardice of the people responsible will ensure that they are already bolting for cover and finding reasons and excuses not to be dragged into it.
Perhaps a few will be named but vast majority will escape unsullied. Meanwhile 3,000 people have died, 30,000 have had their lives turned upside down.
How about getting rid of those responsible, Mr Sunak? Perhaps a saving grace for your dying government? Dr Pete M, Maidenhead
Now the government has agreed compensation for those affected by the blood scandal (Metro, Wed), expect your phones and email to be bombarded by ‘Have you been affected by the blood scandal? We will get you compensation’ messages. My advice is not to use these scammers. The process might be lengthy and bureaucratic but it can be done. Pedro, Hammersmith
Don’t say sorry unless you mean it
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is ‘truly sorry’ for beating his then girlfriend, Cassie Ventura (Metro, Mon). Rishi Sunak is ‘truly sorry’ for the NHS blood scandal. The boss of South West Water is ‘truly sorry’ for poisoning Devon’s water. Apologising has lost all meaning, They’re all only sorry they got caught or punished, or are trying to appear sympathetic in these big stories. Jordan, London
‘If the US Embassy won’t pay their charge – why should I?’
Diplomats owe Transport for London £143.5million in unpaid congestion charges (Metro, Wed).
The US Embassy is the worst offender, refusing to pay its £14.6m bill because its staff are exempt from ‘taxes’, despite TfL saying it’s a charge not a tax. With this in mind, I hereby designate myself ambassador of the People’s Republic of South-East London. As such, I’m sorry, Mayor Khan, but you can park your Ulez bills where the sun doesn’t shine! Owen, Catford
I have travelled a lot in my life and been close to terrorist attack in cities like Paris, so I take the British Transport Police message ‘See it, say it, sorted’ seriously and so it should be. So I find Alsef’s hijacking of the slogan with ‘See it, say it, picket’ disrespectful – it undermines what is an important message, that we all need to be alert in these times. Tom, Doncaster
Is BBC MasterChef becoming elitist nonsense? Dishes being cooked are totally irrelevant to ordinary families in Britain. And even the guest judges seem pious and rather superior, in my opinion. Maybe it’s time it got back to reality.KT, Edinburgh
Is it me, or does the brief glimpse of a little sunshine make the world seem a better place? Jim, London
Together, governments can find road to peace
Alan (MetroTalk, May 15) says we should increase defence spending. I see where he is coming from but would like to offer an alternative viewpoint. Instead of increasing military spending, increase the time and money spent on diplomacy and bridge-building between peoples.
War does not solve problems. Violence begets violence and our baser instincts and hatred are fostered. When we put our faith in weapons and war, for the most part it is children and women who suffer the most.
The only road to a true and lasting peace is the long and difficult road of forgiveness and reconciliation. So our governments would better serve their people if each stopped trying to force its own ideology on others and found ways to work together to change our broken food system, our broken financial systems, our broken trade systems and to halt our runaway climate change. Kath, North Tyneside
The ethical and moral case for refusing jabs
Sharon (MetroTalk, Fri) says vaccinations against diseases such as whooping cough should be compulsory.
She was writing after an outbreak of the disease that left five babies dead. You can’t make vaccinations compulsory.
People have good reasons for not being vaccinated and that should be respected. As a vegan I chose not to be vaccinated on ethical and moral grounds.
There is a case to be made that most diseases such as Covid-19 are caused by mankind farming animals for food.
Mankind then has the audacity to test vaccines on animals to cure these diseases.
Not only is mankind contributing massively to climate change by using animals for food, he is sowing severe problems for his own health not to mention cruelty to animals.
On these grounds I feel I have the right not to be vaccinated and wouldn’t get vaccinated even if compulsory. Robin, Glasgow
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