The coronavirus does not recognise any borders so the island needs a unified approach

We will get the virus eventually and if we haven’t built up immunity by getting it soon, or getting a vaccine, we will suffer it to a greater or lesser extent later when we are even older and even more at risk.

Government strategy should be to stop, rather than delay, the spread of the virus while seeking a vaccine.

We need a unified approach across this whole island, and across these islands.

The ‘economy’ should be put on the back burner, or taken off the stove altogether.

Emphasis should be concentrated on the production and distribution of food, maintenance of power and water supplies and sanitation, care for the sick and elderly, and other essential public services, no expense spared.

It can be paid for later.

Thereafter, a new, more localised, self-sufficient, socio-economic regime based on the above principles should be put in place.

The framework for doing that, and for a unified approach now, already exists in the Good Friday Agreement, but has been ignored, as it was over Brexit.

Do you remember Brexit and the border dispute?

The coronavirus doesn’t recognise any borders.

Dennis Golden, Strabane