SIR - Having been taken to task – albeit a bit over the top - the “inventing fake news” - I felt obliged to comment on the remarks of Susan Smith (Craven Herald letters, April 9).

By pure coincidence, March 9– when Guernsey’s fist coronavirus case was recorded - I met a gentleman who had friends in Guernsey, Jersey and the Scilly isles, and at which point there was no problem recorded.

However , I am not on any social media or 24 hour news network, but I do listen to the BBC Radio Five Live programme virtually every morning between 8am and just after 10 am when there is some serous and educational debate, also I hardly ever miss the BBC 10pm news on the television.

And between all that, most countries wherever there has been an outbreak have been mentioned, but I never recall any mention of either Guernsey of Jersey!

Therefore, just unfortunate that the outbreaks there would then occur within the next 12 days up to the point of me passing on my own letter to a friend to e-mail.

So, the forthcoming edition which then was March 26, but a cover note, just in case of then unforeseen eventualities, I did courteously include the line “correct me if I’m wrong.”

No need though for any vitriolic barb in return.

Could I therefore return to service to Susan Sims “fake news” barb, yes.

I have sternly criticised the government, for-as 60 years a taxpayer – I feel entitled to do that, but at no point in any of my correspondence do I endeavour to undermine any voluntary support. Indeed, as one such volunteer myself, I am hardly likely to do that in any case!

Meanwhile, thankyou editor for publishing my letters, especially regarding the “human Baggage” as to how I referred to the unnecessary extras socialising on shopping trips.

Whether or not the subsequent improvement of procedure in Morrison’s therefore as a result of my bleating’s I am not sure, but at least things are now more in line with the government’s social distancing recommendations, And of course, for the betterment of health all around.

Indeed, on that count, five unrelated people have since contacted me and acknowledged that they had hitherto erred unthinkingly but intend to redress in future.!

Conclusively, I always wear a mark while shopping.

Realistically no good of course, unless everyone wears one, for it can soon be contaminated on the outside by someone not wearing one or likewise onto our clothes or side or top of your head.

May I therefore recommend Australia’s shopping rules, and which appear to be paying dividends in terms of lesser coronavirus cases compared to population in towns and cities.

“No mask, no shopping.” Worth therefore taking on board!

Roger Ingham.

Skipton