Swimming 8,000 laps to raise money for frontline workers requires grit

Our readers have their say on a young Dubai achiever, the plight of airlines and reflections during the lockdown

Chloe Andrews, a 12-year-old girl who raised Dh15,000 for Doctors Without Borders last week by swimming 50km in her 6m pool at Sports City in Dubai

With regard to Patrick Ryan's report Coronavirus: Dubai girl swims 50km at home to raise money for frontline workers (April 26): 
I am very proud to say that she is one of my students! Go Chloe. Kate Elizabeth Greenlees, Dubai 

What an incredible achievement, Chloe. We are super proud grandparents.
Margaret Nation, Taunton, Somerset, UK

That's one tough girl. So proud of her.
Siraj Siraj, Dubai

Airlines having to brave the rough patch

With reference to Paul Peachey's report Virgin Atlantic 'seeks buyer' amid Covid-19 crisis for airlines (April 26): it's so scary that this Covid-19 is like a global economic wild fire burning through everyone's economic gains.

Thomas K Wasnai, Nairobi, Kenya

Richard Branson wasn't asking for a bailout. He was asking for a loan on commercial terms and was putting his family home up as collateral. He has also injected another £250 million into the company. EasyJet has already been given one for £600 million last week.

Debbie Duncan-Studart, Dubai 

A time for reflection, family and assessing life goals

This is with reference to Kelly Clarke's story Coronavirus: UAE resident launches video campaign to put 'faces to names' of those stranded overseas (April 27). The period we are living through, sharing the experience of a pandemic that has changed our lives, feels like a Hollywood film.

Humanity now shares a common goal: working together to control the spread of Covid-19 and to support those in need.

Many of us have had to live within the walls of our homes for weeks. Some have had to co-exist with others. Others have experienced solitude. Either way, we have all been anxious.

We have been challenged to learn how to reconnect with our loved ones, whom we may otherwise never have had time for, those with whom spending time can feel like a chore.

Earlier we may have not had relationships even with ourselves because we were always too busy.

This phase is precious as it allows us to pause distractions and look at how we have led our lives. In doing so we become aware of our deepest desires and goals.

I believe that this experience will leave a deep imprint on our interactions, pace of life and sense of purpose. It will make us pay more attention to health, hygiene, family and self and value what we have.

Huda Zainy, Abu Dhabi