Last Post: Our beef with China and ways to settle the score

One has to endorse the contents of your article “Families count blessings, despite the stress” (8/12). A highly qualified clinical psychologist (and friend) told me in his experience the effects of lockdown have been more beneficial than deleterious. He says, in the main, as a result of social isolation, people have rediscovered core values and dispensed with what might be described as fripperies. As a result, they are more content with their lot and less preoccupied with pursuing goals. It would seem the damaging psychological effects of the lockdown have been somewhat overrated.

Bill Pannell, Dalkeith, WA

We are going to Adelaide from Brisbane for Christmas. If circumstances change, 14-day quarantine restrictions may be re-imposed. If so, can we please stay under canvas at Greenbank Military Camp on our return? We do not want to be confined in a high-rise hotel with several hundred expats from COVID-infected countries.

Ian Ferguson, Mitchelton, Qld

I don’t give “a pink continental” as to the country from which the coronavirus originated. I care greatly as to how and why the virus developed to become a worldwide pandemic. Surely every human in the world and their respective rulers would want to know. This knowledge can only help to protect us all.

Michael Howitt, Tewantin, Qld

Australia has a perfect opportunity to side-swipe the Chinese Communist Party. We should call for an independent review of whether Australian beef was the COVID-19 source. Put this to an emergency vote at the UN and see how the CCP votes. Any such team would surely have to travel to Wuhan.

S. Tucker, Auchenflower, Qld

I have completed my Christmas shopping but it took twice as long as usual as I had to search carefully to find goods not made in China. We are slow, but it’s not too late to wake up.

Sue O’Sullivan, Keperra, Qld

During this year, I travelled in far north, central and southern Queensland, as well as spending a good deal of time in Sydney. My overwhelming impression is that 2020 was a cold year, albeit interspersed with a few very hot days. I would be surprised if anyone held the opposite view. Yet I have no doubt that in January the BOM will claim 2020 was the hottest year on record.

Peter O’Brien, Kiama, NSW

While admirable in content, the Last Post from Ross Jackson (8/12) was longer than some in the regular letters column. Please let’s keep Last Post contributions short and pithy as was the original intent.

Carol Smith, Wynnum, Qld