In your article (Cases of new Covid variant are ‘all around the UK’, say scientists, 22 December), Prof Robert Dingwall links the spread of the new Covid variant to more infection in the nose and mouth. Surely the simplest measure is to mandate masks in all indoor spaces outside the home and crowded outdoor spaces.
Dr Mark Roberts
Beverley, East Yorkshire
• I don’t think that readers should assume that they will be unable to pass Covid on to others once they have been vaccinated, as is implied in a letter (Letters, 21 December). While the vaccine should prevent most people getting seriously ill, whether they can still pass on the virus has not yet been determined.
Richard Feeney
Blackheath, London
• The choice of stock image for the print-edition version of your article (‘Plague Island’, 22 December) is subtle but unexplained. Not all readers will recognise that it depicts Norway, or know that the Black Death reached there via an English ship that arrived in Bergen in 1349. Luckily, the Norwegians seem to be better prepared this time.
Judith Jesch
Nottingham
• There’s no evidence in the Gospels that there were three kings or magi (Myrrh mystery: how did Balthasar, one of the three kings, become black?, 21 December). That idea came from later commentators and artists, based on the fact that in the original story three gifts were given.
Andrew Saint
London
• Nice to know I’m “one in a million” subscribers and regular contributors to the Guardian (Report, 17 December). About the same odds of having my letter published!
John Evans
Stroud, Gloucestershire
