Get off the beaches and into lockdown

Mark Jeffery,

Campbelltown

Going by some of the letters in the Leader of late, it seems there's been an outbreak of meanspiritedness with the virus during lockdown. People are complaining about young people using parks and walkways. Reminder: families with young children have been restricted to their homes for six weeks now. Children are not allowed to see friends, visit grandparents, or go to school or anywhere else, but they can get outdoor activity in parks and reserves. For babies and toddlers, this is all that's available to parents. This would be difficult for anyone living in a freestanding house with a yard, but imagine if you live in a unit.

This time is hard for everyone, but we should try to be understanding and kind towards each other. Think about how you would manage in the same situation before judging.

And, since you may wonder, I fully support lockdown, observe facemask and social distancing rules and am fully vaccinated. But I do think we need to be sensible and mindful of the circumstances of others. As far as I know, there's been no outdoor areas in the Sutherland shire labelled as hotspots during this outbreak so give kids(and their parents) a break.

Kerrie Shearston,

Engadine

I was appalled to read in the Leader today that residents from across the Georges River were sneaking across the Oatley-Como bridge and potentially bringing Covid 19 into the pristine Sutherland Shire, which ONLY has about 26 cases as of today (Aug 12).

I am sure that if Mayor Simpson were to approach the Prime Minister, nominally a resident of the Shire, he would provide sufficient help to remedy this problem. Our PM may have run out of spare three-star generals, but surely, he could find a spare brigadier driving a desk at headquarters. I think an appropriate name would be Operation Shire Borders.

Philip Collins,

Menai

I am 70 years of age and recently had to have an MRI scan. I discovered the price disparity between the various facilities and was informed that Medicare only subsidises one outlet per local area for MRI scanning.

I tried to make an appointment at the designated imaging facility (I-MED Radiology) only to be told the next available appointment was 10 weeks away. So the only option available was to try another facility, possibly outside the zone or another facility in Miranda, whereby I would have to pay the non subsidised Medicare fee, which was quite hefty.

I was successful in obtaining an appointment but at a non-Medicare subsidised facility within 48 hours. The issue for me is the disparity between providers and the inconvenience and inequality afforded to the elderly, forcing them to have to wait for affordable testing. It angers me that Medicare favours one provider over the other. It is not fair.

Harry Exikanas, Oyster Bay

Very disappointed to read about the proposed "holistic tree management" strategy. There's no doubt that this example of doublespeak equates to "tree decimation".

I cannot understand how people who moved to the shire were surprised that it was so green. The shame is that they feel the need to change that leafy outlook to one of the treeless plains, cliff-face apartment blocks, and McMansions. This is the sad cost to the community of not having to rake or scoop leaves from the pool, hidden behind pretend safety worries.

So that's it for me - I'll be off to another district where people appreciate nature and where birds have somewhere to nest while the shire becomes indistinguishable from the rest of southern Sydney.

Nick Deguingand, Woolooware

Certainly not the voters of Hughes when he's celebrating the "huge crowds protesting in Sydney against the tyranny of the clueless Gladys and Chant" (Craig's Telegram, 24 July).

I'm all for protest - it's changed the world for the better - but Craig and his "do your research on YouTube" mates need to check their privilege before protesting their 'freedom' about being asked to wear a mask to go to the shops or get a vaccination or stay home for a few weeks to protect the vulnerable. Not to mention how offensive this 'protest' is to those who've had to protest or fight for REAL freedoms.

Mr Kelly is completely disconnected from the human pulse of Hughes if he thinks he's going to win votes with this rhetoric.

Lisa Edwards, Engadine

My mother recently passed and her request was to be cremated. Mum had pre-purchased a lawn plot next to my father 30 years ago, thinking she would save us kids money when the time came.

Woronora Memorial Park has since advised me that laws were changed in 2020, stating that a living person can only authorise the rights to the internment of ashes and the plot needs to be transferred (with a fee) to legal guardians mentioned in the original will. If this all sounds complicated and ridiculous, I am told this process can take up to 10 weeks! So my mother cannot be laid to rest before then.

I know there would be many older people who have pre-paid many years ago to secure a plot next to a loved one, and I want to let their families know of this change in the law.

Caril Hall, Cronulla.

I am writing to request Sutherland Shire Football Association (SSFA) contemplate offering a substantial discount to all their members for the 2022 Football season - next year.

As we all know, the 2020 year was affected due to COVID 19 and, ok, we accepted that. This year though, 2021 has now been affected again in the shire and our kids look like missing out on another half of the year.

The rest of the season will be written off, given the situation here. Our kids have paid full fare for both years now, 2020 and 2021. It's only fair that SSFA offers significant discounts for the following year. All other businesses have suffered and fully refunded their fees, accommodation, flights, bookings etc., when we have all been forced to change or cancel our plans. Why not the SSFA? It's not like they have had to pay any Ref fees and the like. All games have been cancelled. They should have enough money in the kitty to offer this to us all. Come on, SSFA, be fair; it's the Aussie way.

Virginia Stone,

Caringbah South