I SUFFER a lot with the noise from fireworks, it’s not just November 5 (Teen thugs defy cops to throw fireworks – despite Pollokshields safety crackdown, October 26).

These days they start from the end of September and go on until the end of November, randomly going off at anytime from three in the afternoon.

I feel there’s nothing else I can do but leave the city in November for as long as I can (this year for two weeks) and would stay away for longer if I could afford to do so (holiday rentals in rural Scotland are not cheap). It’s awful that I am driven away from my own home because of this.

For some people fireworks are “a bit of fun” – but for many they’re a way of creating noise, frightening people and animals and are used as weapons. So many suffer due to fireworks being used irresponsibly: disabled people, autistic people, PTSD sufferers, wildlife, pets, emergency service workers – not to mention the environmental damage and the serious injuries that can and do result from their use.

“Damp squib,” someone says? I’d rather be safe and know others are too – make them silent and enjoy the visuals.

Elle Jay

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I HAVE friends up in the north of Scotland’s various regions, Fife, and other areas, who have had the flu vaccine since September (‘She’ll knock herself ill waiting’: 94-year-old terrified of impact flu jab delay could have, October 26)!

However, Glasgow has not come into that category yet and I am told it’s all to do with the buying-in of the vaccine from pharmaceutical companies

It even applies to Glasgow supermarkets and pharmacies – they have been let down by various companies.

At this stage, even if you wanted to pay for it privately, you simply can’t get it – but I would suggest if made available get it at Morrisons or Tesco who are charging really reasonable prices of £7 or £8 against some who are charging as much as £24! It would be a good idea that that small amount paid for the vaccine could be paid for out of the heating allowance of £200-449, I would definitely give it a go.

At this moment in time you MUST not contact your GP, they have nothing to do with the flu jab this year. However, there is a freephone number and if you have the time to waste over days and weeks you could perhaps go down that line.

I’m told we should all be vaccinated by the end of November.

Beth Morrison

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