People should be aware that funerals, house parties and church services have caused most clusters

The News Letter seems to have 20/20 vision when it comes to breaches of the Covid-19 guidance by a minority of our younger generation (‘Sandra Chapman, June 6) or by republicans (News report, May 26).
By Derek McKillop
Published 9th Jun 2020, 12:45 BST
Updated 9th Jun 2020, 12:59 BST
Republican funerals have breached lockdown restrictions, as at Ballinderry in April above, but other funerals have done so tooRepublican funerals have breached lockdown restrictions, as at Ballinderry in April above, but other funerals have done so too
Republican funerals have breached lockdown restrictions, as at Ballinderry in April above, but other funerals have done so too

(Sandra Chapman’s article can be read here: ‘Young generation’s behaviour in lockdown shows they are law onto themselves’ and the news report here ‘Police to investigate breaches of coronavirus lockdown at republican funeral... again,’ May 26).

However there have been other mass gatherings that have been reported without criticism.

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The day before article on the republican funeral, there was a report about a large crowd at a funeral (‘Children were waiting for daddy to come home with ice cream,’ May 25) and an open air service (‘Drive-in services give parishioners a boost,’ May 25).

Letter to the editorLetter to the editor
Letter to the editor

We see death notices in your paper encouraging people to come out onto the streets.

As you have pointed out in your article on Monday (‘Protestors dump slave trader statue in harbour,’ June 8), when protest organisers call out large crowds on to streets they can’t assure social distancing is observed and mostly it isn’t.

My mum sadly passed on April 30, six family members were at the graveside.

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The coffin was wheeled to grave as we didn’t have six people from the same household capable of carrying the coffin.

My sons did have to help lower the coffin into the grave, but as it was not possible to maintain two metre distance from the undertaker they wore face mask and gloves.

I asked my mum’s elderly friend not to be tempted to stand on the road or outside the cemetery as I didn’t want the guilt if they had developed symptoms 14 days after the funeral.

I don’t see this level of adherence at any funerals you have reported on recently.

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So perhaps in the interest of balance you could remind your readership of the regulations relating to funerals and religious services.

Highlight the clear breaches by all, not just republicans.

You may wish to highlight that funerals, church services and house parties have been the cause of most clusters.

Dr Derek McKillop, Ballycastle

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Related topics:PeoplePoliceNorthern Ireland