My beautiful mother amazes me as she confronts her personal battle with the isolation and stress of coronavirus. At 97 years old and a resident in a Launceston nursing home, my mum is normally socially active.

At present she is writing and replying to the many family and friends who, unable to visit, are writing to her. Mum understands the necessity of COVID-19 restrictions and is keeping a positive attitude.

Reading between the lines though, there is a lot left unsaid. Especially difficult for this mother of nine children and veteran of World War II, was a recent period of three days when she was in lockdown in her room.

The letter I received from that time stated: "It's so quiet seeing only staff, my brain was really addled. It's really cruel not having family indoors, so I walked and marched around in here - marched on the spot left, right, left".

Mum finished that letter saying "going to be for a while yet, please don't worry about me. I'm only one person and I am well cared for". She is now back to "taking a walk along the corridor". Happy mother's day Mum. Stay safe.

Lynette Bingley, Urraween.

ACCORDING to Tasmanian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson (The Examiner, April 23) only the younger generation are isolating to keep us baby boomers safe.

Are you serious? He wants us to thank them by joining them to protest about climate change. They should be thanking us and our parents for getting the country going after World War II for them. We had it a lot tougher than they will never know. Instead of protesting, do something useful and stop being anti-everything. After this pandemic is over, please bring back clean coal power for a start to get things going again, as it will take a while and will help if power is cheaper.

J Douglas, Launceston.

I totally applaud the appointment of Jan Davis as chief executive of the RSPCA Tasmania. In her previous role heading the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Organisation, I thought she did a superlative job. Her astute publicity for that organisation had it well received across our state.

Now as RSPCA head I expect that body to reap benefit after a turbulent more recent history. Ms Davis has that rare ability to cut the chase and deliver pertinent commentary on issues. She will begin her task with great goodwill across our state.

Dick James, Launceston.

OUR tiger statues got a mention (The Examiner, April 20) as they are undergoing a risk assessment. The previous assessment before they were installed deemed them acceptable. This is prior to the number of trips and falls, which incidentally our mayor has blamed on the pedestrians by saying they were due to inattention. Malls are supposed to be people friendly, not survival courses.

Should I really have my attention on possible injury causing obstacles or rightly assume the planners have exercised due diligence in order to protect the strolling public? Mr Mayor, I would say that blaming the people is like the statues, a low blow.

Ron Baines, Kings Meadows.

Like the rest of the Northern Tasmanian community, I have been bitterly disappointed by the news that the Bank of Heritage Isle is closing its branches. I have sought a meeting with the bank to discuss how and why this has happened and what's next. While it is clear that Heritage Island is facing business and financial challenges, it is unacceptable for the bank to make the decision at a time when the local community is facing so many other challenges.

Furthermore, due to the timing of the branch closures announcement, when we are encouraging our community to stay home, it has been particularly disheartening to see long lines of older people waiting outside the bank branches to sort out accounts. To be forcing people out and about at this time is irresponsible. Of course, there are also significant challenges now for those who seek face to face banking opportunities, particularly for the elderly and vulnerable in our community. Some may say that these closures were inevitable but I, like so many others, feel let down by the promises made in the merger just two years ago of supporting our local communities.

Bridget Archer, Bass Liberal MHR.