I fear long COVID will be our next pandemic (“Long COVID to affect 500,000”, July 24). Alas, there is no diagnostic test and no cure. The worst thing sufferers could do is wait in line at the clinic. My common sense suggests a healthy lifestyle and graded back to normal activities are the likely solutions. Giving people another diagnosis of a chronic disease can be counterproductive, much like we have done with chronic fatigue syndrome. Doom and gloom.
Then the get-rich-quick snake oil sellers will emerge to feed off the unwell in our community. We are so susceptible to the power of suggestion. I doubt there will be much long COVID diagnosed among the subsistence farmers of Afghanistan.
Michael Chambers, Mosman

Greens can win day

If the Greens really want to achieve something tangible without getting too much backlash from Labor’s supporters, they could force the federal government to stop subsidising $12 billion a year to the mining industry (“Greens target budget in bid to block mines”, July 24). It will do two things: it would help the government repair the budget and the Greens will be considered a smart negotiator rather than disruptive. It would also receive support from the teals. Win-win for all parties and independents, except the Coalition.
Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill

Nest egg still best bet

Despite Jessica Irvine’s assurance, Millennials assuming an indefinite continuation of the present age pension could be in for a rude awakening (“How much do you need to retire?”, July 24).

That “most retirees today receive either a part or full age pension” does not mean that “the federal government has no incentive to put matters straight”. The combination of people living longer, having smaller families, increased job insecurity, higher defence expenditures and current unprecedented debt levels does raise the question: where is the money coming from?

And at some stage the young will revolt against paying taxes so that asset-rich retirees can receive government largesse. Far better to have your own nest egg than rely on the generosity of others.
Maurice Critchley, Mangrove Mountain

Foot in mouth disease

Nobody with a brain wants border closure (”Genetic banks and cleaning mats: preparing for the virus”, July 24). The agricultural sector does not want it, the regions do not want it, business does not want it, the thinking sector of Australia (yes, the sector which threw out the government in May) does not want it.
The only “people” wanting it are the rump of the hard-right Coalition, who want it not from any concern for Australia, but just to give themselves something about which they can rant. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Ian Lewis, Kentucky