IT would seem no coincidence that three of the world’s most cavalier political leaders preside over populations that have sustained the highest levels of Covid-19 deaths. Wearing face-coverings and physical distancing is for the "plebs", not for pretentious Boris Johnson, Donald Trump or Jair Bolsonaro, nor the chosen sycophants surrounding them who unsurprisingly have succumbed to the virus at even higher rates than their fellow citizens.

Perhaps these three populist politicians, intent on progressing economic measures favoured by their self-interested wealthy backers over sound public health policies and the advice of independent health experts, are actually the biblical Three Angels of The Apocalypse incarnate. If not, they appear to be doing an “awesome job” of orchestrating a prelude to global catastrophe that has already seen the devastating Covid-19-related passing of more than a quarter of a million people in the UK, the United States and Brazil.

But regrettably this is possibly not even the beginning of the end of this current tragedy because their irresponsible decisions are significantly increasing the likelihood of further waves of the pandemic being propagated which would not only, ironically, have more severe long-term economic consequences but would tragically rob the world of far greater numbers of its citizens. How vast do disasters have to become and how many hundreds of thousands of lives lost before otherwise intelligent people, including many in the mainstream media, stop condoning, or at least cease turning a blind eye to, the reckless actions of these substance-devoid self-serving individuals?

Stan Grodynski, Longniddry.

IN her daily briefings, Nicola Sturgeon repeatedly claims that her decisions are based on scientific advice.

Would it be too much for those of affected to ask to see this advice? Or are we considered to be incapable of understanding this?

GM Lindsay, Kinross.

Leave it to the police

I AM not sure which parallel universe Michael Rosie of Edinburgh University is living in ("‘Use traffic wardens to help police marches and cut the force’s costs’", The Herald, June 22). He has obviously never experienced the peculiar delight of donning a police uniform and policing a parade/march of whatever hue or cause.

In any case, we were told Police Scotland was created to save money. Surely the millions of pounds saved since April 2013 could be used to effectively continue policing those events with regular police officers, rather than resort to using people who are patently not trained, experienced or equipped for such a specialist task.

Dan Edgar, Rothesay.

Scots wha hae grammar

I FIND myself on the same page as Patricia Allison and Nita Marr (Letters, June 22) regarding the use of grammar.At first I thought I was just turning into a grumpy old man, but happily I am not alone in my Grrr.

Perhaps the reading of “Scots wha hae wi Wallace bled, Scots (wham) Bruce has aften (led) ”would be advantageous to the modern generation.

W Watson, Carstairs.

Ayrshire lament

EVER year we look forward to the Ayrshire potato season; every year of late we have been disappointed. Flavour seems to be lacking and potatoes are misshapen making them difficult to peel. At one time the peel used to fall off.

I suppose that one theory is that farmers force the spuds in order to get premium prices, meaning that quality gets sacrificed. This is a great pity. At one time this was a unique product.

Murray Gowie, Troon.