‘God help us if another global pandemic ever again hits our British shores’

What do you think about the covid-19 inquiry so far? (Picture: Sky News)

In today’s MetroTalk, readers are aghast as details emerge from the Covid Inquiry this week that indicate just how unprepared the UK was for a global pandemic.

A reader has written in to say they sure hope we don’t have to contend with another any time soon given such mismanagement the last time round.

And what do you think about politicians doing reality TV? We’ve had Matt Hancock, Nadine Dorries, and soon, it seems, Nigel Farage will take a shot at reality TV stardom. But, does it really help them connect with a younger audience or fix a bad reputation?

What do you think about our readers’ letters today?

Share your thoughts in the comments.

Once the Covid Inquiry is over I want to see Boris Johnson, his cronies and the Scottish government charged with malfeasance in public office.

Reading about Mr Johnson’s principal private secretary Martin Reynolds deleting his WhatsApps – he says because he was worried about people leaking them – (Metro, Mon), there is no way these people didn’t know that they were required to keep all their communication for the historical record and for things like the public inquiry. G Curley, via email

What do you think? (Picture: Metro.co.uk)

Would it endear you to Nigel Farage to see him covered in spiders and frogs? (Credits: James Gourley/ITV/Shutterstock)

Nigel Farage is considering an offer to appear on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

The former Ukip and Brexit Party leader’s claimed reason for doing so is that he thinks the show might help him ‘connect with young people’.

Nothing has done more to diminish young people’s prospects, frustrate their ambitions and undermine their natural optimism in recent years than the Brexit Mr Farage trumpeted.

Many of them might now wish to join with members of the European Movement in hoping that Mr Farage experiences the same level of success in rescuing his reputation as previous political ‘celebrities’ who’ve appeared on the show, such as Matt Hancock and Nadine Dorries. Richard Wilson, Vice Chair, European Movement UK

‘FGM isn’t comparable to circumcision’

Gile asserts that circumcision is a form of ‘religious mutilation’ (MetroTalk, Tue).

Equating it to female genital mutilation, as implied by the term ‘barbaric cutting of genitals’, can be misleading and has the potential to incite religious bias against a significant number of Brits representing at least three distinct religious traditions.

The procedure is comparable to the act of ear-piercing for earrings and far removed from the brutality of FGM. David Frencel, London

Should over the 60s pay for their own travel to and from work?

Do you agree that working over 60s should pay like the rest to go to work? (Credits: Getty Images)

Lena (MetroTalk, Tue) bemoans not being able to use an over-sixties pass for free travel to work in London pre 9am.

If over-sixties are travelling to paid employment they can also pay for their transport like the rest of the working population.

Why should we subsidise their free travel to paid employment? Catherine, Kent

We need an early solution to flooding

In light of the flooding risk we face, should manufacturers not make something that could be used to cover people’s doors? We should be preparing for these things in advance. Marina, via email

On the backwards baseball cap

The baseball cap ‘one of life’s great mysteries'(Credits: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Further to the reasons given for baseball caps being worn backwards (MetroTalk, Mon and Tue), it was baseball catchers who originally wore them that way to avoid it interfering with their mask.

Quite why the rest of humanity has followed suit when the whole point of the peak is to keep the sun out of your eyes is one of life’s great mysteries. John Ford, Amersham

On baseball caps being worn backwards.

In the days when I was walking to my office in London, I used to frequently stop someone as they were walking toward me and ask them where they’d bought it, because I’d been trying for ages to get one but could only find them with the peak at the front.

The looks some of them gave me were so priceless, they used to set me up for the rest of the day! HG, Maidstone

Seen any cannelloni tubes lately? (Credits: Getty Images)

At a time when the world seems to be turning on itself, this is a very trivial question. But does anyone know where all the cannelloni tubes have gone?

I keep looking but don’t think I’ve seen any for years. Pamela, Highams Park

It could be a happier journey for all involved if you just watched your TikToks with headphones… (Credits: Getty Images)

Is anyone else sick of entitled idiots on trains who think it’s acceptable to blast TikTok at full volume?

A woman got on and sat next to me doing just this. I moved and she didn’t get the message. Even worse, I could still hear her from the other end of the carriage.

I’ve given up asking people to stop – you only get attitude. The poor bloke who invented the earbud must be almost bankrupt by now. Agnes, London

To commuters who insist on putting their rucksack/bag between their legs on the floor, leaving no room for the feet of the person sitting opposite. Please kindly use the overhead racks or your lap.Sarah, Mortlake

MORE : Boris Johnson joins GB News as a presenter

MORE : Nigel Farage confirms I’m A Celebrity talks and outraged fans threaten to boycott show

MORE : Dominic Cummings’ face is a picture as names he called ministers are read out

In today’s MetroTalk readers are discussing the government’s response to Covid-19 as details emerge during the pandemic inquiry.