Prof Devi Sridhar’s solution to the pandemic (Plan B shows Britain is still chasing Covid. Here’s how we can get ahead of it, 9 December) emphasises the importance of vaccines, but fails to mention other essential mitigation measures, without which we will fail. Omicron, like all variants, is airborne, and only airborne protections will stop us from getting infected and end the pandemic.
We have the means, in the form of face masks, carbon dioxide monitors, air filters and ventilation systems, to provide clean air in indoor spaces, free of the virus. These measures are readily available, highly effective and will stop transmission wherever they are used.
This message needs to be front and centre of every discussion about how to stop the pandemic: the need for FFP2 masks and the importance of mask fit, the ability to easily monitor ventilation using CO2 monitors and identify where improvements are needed, and the remarkable efficiency of indoor air filters. We must stop seeing the solution to the pandemic only through the vaccine lens; while they are essential, Omicron shows vaccine protection is limited, and that we will always be playing catch-up with this highly mutating virus.
Vaccines also work after we’ve been infected with the virus; they are literally our last line of defence. Airborne protections will stop us breathing in the virus and it getting into our bodies in the first place. Until we pay serious attention and devote the necessary resources to stopping airborne transmission, we will not end this pandemic.
Dr Jonathan Fluxman
London
• It is unfortunate that the print headline of your otherwise thoughtful piece (Why fighting Omicron should include ramping up HIV prevention, 11 December) served to reinforce, rather than address, the stigma associated with living with HIV.
Since the first cases of Aids were reported 40 years ago, people living with HIV have been held personally responsible for the growth of the epidemic, leading to deeply damaging levels of stigma and discrimination that threaten to prolong the HIV epidemic despite medical advances. Had the piece been entitled “Why equal access to HIV treatment and ending vaccine nationalism is essential to tackling the Covid pandemic”, that would have been both accurate and less stigmatising.
The fundamental truth is that we will not see an end to either Covid or HIV until there is equitable access to prevention, treatment and care for both viruses across the globe.
Deborah Gold
Chief executive, National Aids Trust
• I am a volunteer at local vaccination centres, which are now putting on a lot more vaccination clinics. Consequently, we are getting asked to do many more shifts. Unfortunately, we are already often short on shifts as many volunteers returned to work. Given that MPs have an extra long holiday from 16 December to 5 January, it would be great to see them help out at the vaccination centres.
Perhaps they could show real commitment to their constituents and do three or four shifts a week during the festive season, rather than the odd photo opportunity. This could go some way to help restore faith in them and show us that we are really all in it together. Maybe local media could help by keeping a tally, so we know if our MPs are really there for us in this time of national crisis.
Dave Hollis
Norwich
• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication.
