Afghanistan robotics team has everyone rooting for them

Our readers have their say on the work of a team making ventilators, teachers' salaries, food security, the UAE helping other nations and birthdays in isolation

CEO of the Afghan Citadel Software Company Roya Mahboob participates in an event in New York, October 2018. AP

Regarding Ashleigh Stewart's article The all-female robotics team in Afghanistan who made a cheap ventilator out of Toyota parts (April 6): this was a great story. I feel so proud of this team of innovators.

Mir Khan, Dubai

They have all our respect. We are rooting for them.

Imran Habib, Ontario, Canada

UAE doing well to boost its food security

I write to you about Daniel Sanderson's story Coronavirus: why UAE farmers have 'never been so busy' during pandemic (April 6). This was an informative article. The UAE is doing well to sustain itself. The government will be able to look back at these times as having given them the opportunity to further develop the farming sectors in the UAE and reduce dependence on neighbouring countries.

Omair Mansoor, Ajman

Should school fees come down during this time of e-learning?

In reference to Anam Rizvi and Sarwat Nasir's report Coronavirus: parents in UAE plead for school fees discount (April 6): if the students are being taught, the teachers need to be paid.

Judy Garelli, Abu Dhabi

Parents are asking for a fee reduction because some of them are on unpaid leave, and it looks like it might be more than a month for things to even begin to get back to normal.

We are definitely not asking for the fee reduction to come from the staff pockets. It could be balanced from the profit schools make. A crisis is not exactly the time to make money.

Gincy Varghese, Dubai

Our school reduced the fee by 20 per cent and reimbursed bus fare too. It was a nice gesture and it feels really good to receive such support.

Anna Jansen, Dubai

Kudos to the UAE for bailing out other afflicted countries

With regard to the report Coronavirus: UAE sends 10 tonnes of medical supplies to Italy (April 6): bravo. This will be a great help to the Italian doctors and medical staff. Well done, UAE. That is what kindness is, helping each other in need. I am sure the receiving nations are grateful for the help.

Angela P, Dubai 

Bless the UAE leaders for showing such humanity in a time of crisis. Despite coronavirus cases in the UAE, the country still reaches out to nations less fortunate at the moment.

It has been 10 years since I left the Dubai but I keep up with news of my beloved former country of residence.

The battle is long, but as they say, the fruit of patience is sweet. Let's keep our hopes up.

Preetha Furtado Cardoza, Kolkata, India 

Sport can take a backseat at this time, surely

Regarding the report Uefa president: playing games without fans is better than scrapping season due to coronavirus (April 5): why put your players in danger?

Sian Carvill, Dubai

Hap-hap-happy... birthdays can be celebrated in isolation

I write to you in regard to Katy Gillett's article Happy birthday to you? How UAE residents are baking cakes and using Zoom to celebrate their big day amid the crisis (April 3): for my son's 10th birthday last week we sang happy birthday in English and French and shared our party in Sharjah via Zoom with friends in the UK, Switzerland and Italy. It was very special.

Lisa Sykes, Sharjah