So can we also safely see our grandchildren?

Scott Morrison considers it safe for children to be at school. Medical experts advise children pose no risk. Why then are grandparents isolated from children? Also, I note David Crowe's comment that "only when a school reopens could the medical experts really know if it is safe" (Comment, 24/4). Are teachers canaries, Mr Morrison, as you plead with them to return to the classroom?

Sue Bryan, Sandringham

It is wonderful news that schools are safe places for students due to their resistance to COVID-19 and that social distancing is unnecessary for them. However, it is very inconsiderate of teachers not to be similarly immune to COVID-19, and so selfish of them to consider their health and that of their families and the wider community, and be averse to returning to their closely populated workplaces, where every surface and every contact carries the risk of contagion.

Teaching, unlike the armed forces, emergency services, medicine and nursing, is not a profession entered into with the understanding that a requirement of the job is the potential sacrifice and loss of health and life.

Deborah Morrison, Malvern East

Children may suffer less from the COVID-19 but going back to school before it has been eradicated from the country is a threat to others such as teachers or adults in their own homes, especially if any of the latter is immune-compromised or has any other underlying illnesses. Governments should consider eradication as the aim while the chance is still with us to avoid further heartache to Australian families.

Loucille McGinley, Brighton East

If children pose no risk to the spreading of coronavirus when schools reopen, will all other activities such as sport, clubs etc for children also reopen? It cannot be one rule for schools and another for other activities.

I was at the scene of the horrific accident that killed four police officers. I want the public to know that the everyday people at the scene comforted, stroked and cared for Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor. The last words she heard were not from the Porsche driver, but from caring people and the paramedics who came to her aid. She and her colleagues were honoured and respected in every way.

Dr Amanda Sampson, Alphington

Boundless respect and gratitude to the four police officers who lost their lives while protecting the lives of road users. Special respect and gratitude to Todd Robinson, the bereaved partner of Constable Glen Humphris, for sharing his grief with the community (The Age, 25/4) and silently reminding it that "love is love" in all its forms.

Mirna Cicioni, Brunswick East

I would like to suggest the planting of an Avenue of Honour to commemorate the lost lives of our police, fire, ambulance and other emergency services members. Such a memorial would give people a place to go, all year round, and help to connect people to the cherished memories of their loved ones. An old idea, a new purpose.

Simon Clegg, Donvale

If any good could possibly come out of this horror, it would be that Victoria Police will have no doubt they have the support and respect of the Victorian community.

Barbara Abell, Essendon

An excellent article by Farrah Tomazin on the Royal Children's Hospital and paediatrician Michelle Telfer's work at its gender clinic (Sunday Age, 19/4).

As a teacher of more than 40 years, it was always obvious to me that some students battled with their gender identity. We are in a much healthier space when we can acknowledge the issue of gender identity and provide the support needed to help those dealing with it.

Anne Maki, Alphington

Lia Timson's article, "Treating dignity as a social good" (Sunday Age, 19/4) should help provide a platform for social and economic reform in post-pandemic Australia. Access for all to quality health and education, a liveable basic wage and pension should be a cornerstone for any government. This would involve significant investment and tax reform and a genuine effort to eradicate the stigma associated with those on JobSeeker.

During the pandemic, we have seen the importance of a fairer distribution of wealth and the need to look after each other. We are also reaping the benefits of this changing mindset. Why can't we continue to put dignity at the centre of our policies and create a better "new normal"?

Craig Jory, Glenroy, NSW

While Australia has the benefit of a natural physical isolation and low population density, its comparatively low COVID-19 infection and death rates can be attributed to a collective response across the community. It speaks of a "quiet patriotism".

It manifests itself as respect for our institutions and the rule of law, a natural sense of community and an overwhelming generosity. There have been the whingers, the idiots and the selfish, but the response from the vast majority of Australians in combatting the virus has been magnificent, and has shown our country as its very best.

Paul Jurkovsky, Ferntree Gully

The upside of the government's tracing app includes earlier warning you of possible contact with a confirmed case, and a better chance of not passing the virus on to your loved ones. It includes allowing greater relaxation of social distancing requirements, letting more people get back to work. Why do the commentators and media focus on the possible downside? Most people provide much of the same information to Google, Facebook, WhatsApp or Instagram.

Carl Prowse, Ivanhoe

Encouraged by the federal government's mature, independent response to the coronavirus, I was carefully considering whether to download the tracing app. This decision has now been resolved with news that the government has entered a contract for data storage of the system with Amazon, the overseas (American) provider.

Linette Hawkins, Prahran

I read daily about privacy concerns surrounding the government's tracking app but almost nothing about its efficacy.

It will record a contact when I am within 1.5 metres of that person for a period of 15 minutes (continuously). This criterion is overly simplistic and inadequate. What about being in the same room for 30minutes? Or touching or brushing past? Or being within a metre for 14 minutes? Privacy matters but we need to know if the app will work. Please can we have more information and discussion about how well it will protect me.

Stephen Mills, Blackburn South

Robina Hunnam's suggestion of coughing loudly and blowing one's nose to clear pathways of approaching people (Sunday Age, Letters, 19/4) is one of the most reckless I have heard to date. I am quite shocked you chose to publish it. It is appalling that anyone would suggest deliberately projecting air droplets from the mouth or nose during this pandemic.

Kim Lyons, Melbourne

We remember those who died and those who suffered, those who were lost and those who mourned them, those who showed the greatest love in dying for their fellow human beings. And yet, we must never forget what it was they gave so much for: freedom from oppression, hatred, prejudice and superiority of race. We belie their sacrifice, demean their cause, when we show hatred for those who are of other races, when we refuse to aid the weak and helpless and when we are indifferent to suffering of our fellow beings.

Karin Hawkins, Balwyn

Very few (if any) modern wars have been worth the cost of lives and destruction they have demanded. The lionising of soldiers in modern culture is largely a cynical exercise in ensuring that there will always be cannon fodder willing to sacrifice themselves (usually) only for the economic and political benefit of others. Maybe Australians volunteering for the Great War were doing so in more innocent and gullible times, but those times are well and truly over.

Anthony Hitchman, St Andrews

Ben Groundwater says, "I need a boarding pass in my hand. I need a train ticket in my pocket" (Comment, 23/4). He is a travel writer so perhaps he has a set idea of what "travel" means. But under a simpler definition, we can travel any time we choose.

I went for an hour's run yesterday morning. I startled two wallabies, said "g'day" to a couple of cyclists and felt the temperature change as I climbed out of the valley. I felt joy as I surged over a crest, felt the sun on my face and saw the far hills. I felt sadness as I passed a fire smouldering in a driveway; someone's Anzac remembrance. To travel you need only head out your door. And just keep going until you are ready to come back.

Grant Morgan, Hurstbridge

Perhaps as an incentive for those people withdrawing funds from their superannuation during the pandemic, their future deposits up to the amount deducted could be exempt from the 15per cent contributions tax as they try to re-establish their balances. The initial deposits that are being withdrawn have already been taxed.

Bob Speed, Trafalgar

A not-very-bright six-year-old boy: "Mummy, why don't they get some disinfectant and inject it in the body to kill the coronavirus?"

Mother: "Great idea, Donald. Now why don't you go to your room and play with your real estate set or send a few tweets. One day you could grow up to be president of the United States."

Chris Hughes, Southbank

Barnaby Joyce again shows leadership, this time in his approach to the coronavirus tracing app (Sunday Age, 19/4). But can someone please tell him that his fears are unfounded? The public has already been told too much about his private life and does not want to know any more.

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Return to school: The serious health risk of using public transport - The Age