Blurred lines – law or advice?

Sir, – Over a year ago, you reported concerns from various legal observers that the Government had "deliberately blurred" the line between coronavirus law and advice (September 10th, 2020). On the matter of the recent chief medical officer's recommendation that children now wear face coverings in certain settings, the obfuscation looks set to continue well into 2022. – Yours, etc,

RAY NILAND,

Churchtown,

Dublin 14.

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Sir, – Dr David O'Connell (Letters, December 3rd), states "Children and younger adults have paid enough for the deficiencies of our health service ... and should not be subject to any further steps which do not benefit them directly".

I would have felt that the wearing of a face mask helps to protect both the wearer and also those around and therefore anything that helps to curtail the spread of this virus to others has to be of benefit to the wider community.

It would be selfish to think otherwise.

– Yours, etc,

DAVID R PIKE,

Glenageary, Co Dublin.