Lessons from Lenin to get through this crisis

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/apr/09/lessons-from-lenin-to-get-through-this-crisis

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On Wednesday evening, the start of Passover, when Jews celebrate the exodus from slavery in Egypt, at the Seder (dinner) table there was an empty chair. This symbolises the absence of Elijah the prophet from the meal. When many Britons sit down for Easter Sunday dinner this weekend, perhaps they could also put an extra chair at the table. It would show solidarity with those who can’t join their families because they are doing what is required to contain the coronavirus epidemic.Monty GoldinLondon

• If Lenin is going to be quoted in the Guardian (Coronavirus crisis has transformed our view of what’s important, 8 April), may I suggest this from One Step Forward, Two Steps Back (1904), which hopefully underlines how the world will change once we are through this: “But every little difference may become a big one if it is insisted on.”Keith FlettTottenham, London

• Intrigued to read of the ozone-layer hole of “record dimensions” over the north pole, but I wonder if it’s a 7-inch or a 12-inch one (Record-size hole opens in ozone layer above the Arctic, 7 April).Dr Paul SomerfieldPlymouth

• Please tell Lucy Mangan (And another thing, G2, 9 April) that I have the complete 18-disc box set of Due South if she’d like to borrow them.Dr Quetta Kaye London

• When it comes to online shopping, have we become a nation of “have slots” and “have nots”?Mary BowdenHarrow, London

• Play sand, last week, £50 for 100kg from educational suppliers. This week £200-plus. Profiteering?Rachel Twiselton Poole, Dorset

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