Taxi fare is too high for many

A reader urges authorities to allow people to share cabs. Other topics: heart disease, muscle ailment, Emirates advert, flight path

A reader says high taxi fares make commuting difficult for many people. Delores Johnson / The National

Letters to the Editor

The minimum taxi fare in Sharjah is Dh11.50, while it is Dh12 in Dubai. For some people it is really difficult to shell out that amount every day. It will be of great help if the authorities in every emirate allow shared taxis.

MA Mannan, Abu Dhabi

High incidence of heart ailments raises concern

I am surprised to learn that nearly nine out of 10 people in the UAE are at risk of cardiovascular disease and one out of three of those is unaware of the fact (UAE residents risk heart problems, October 15). The number of people suffering from Type 2 diabetes is also very high.

Obesity is believed to be the main trigger in developing heart disease. Being overweight is not a silent killer.

Maria Malmivaara, Dubai

It’s a reminder that we need to change our lifestyles. Eat healthy and exercise regularly. But this is easier said than done.

Many people, especially children, do not have enough avenues to indulge in physical activities. A large number of schools lack facilities for children’s physical activity.

As a result, children suffer from obesity, diabetes and other diseases. Only sounding the alarm will not help.

The government and the community must act to tackle this situation. Health is wealth, they say. A generation will be affected if this trend cannot be reversed.

Ahmed Abbasi, Abu Dhabi

Beware of the muscle problem

Muscle dysmorphia is a real thing (He looks fit but he sees fat; muscle dysmorphia is affecting upwards of one in 10 men, October 10). I have struggled with it since I started working out almost six years ago and it still affects me slightly.

I had never looked better in my life thanks to an extreme muscle-building programme that I joined. Every time I looked in the mirror, I felt I was not lean enough. It was a very hard 12 weeks of preparation from a psychological stand point and I’m sure anyone else who has ever competed can attest to my feeling.

Today – due to a handful of my close friends and the support from my coach – I can confidently say that I feel much better about myself than I did ever before.

Jason S, US

Emirates advert was refreshing

I refer to the report Emirates to lose world's longest flight tag to Singapore Airlines (October 13). I saw the new Emirates advert featuring Jennifer Aniston. I loved it. She is well respected in the US, and was a good choice for the ad.

Given that many Americans have a false perception of the real Middle East, I was very happy to see the ad run on American television.

Elvin Ross, US

Singapore Airlines has been voted the second best airline behind Qatar Airways. Well done Singapore Airlines.

Ismail Adams, Dubai

Rethink the issue of flight path

Regarding the news report UAE carriers will continue to fly over Iranian airspace (October 14), I think all commercial carriers need to avoid the region. Passenger and crew safety is paramount. Remember MH17?

Anita Welch, Abu Dhabi

I hope the airlines reconsider this decision because the situation seems volatile at the moment. I never thought flight paths would affect my decision of which airline I fly, but it looks like it’s something I need to start looking into.

Samia Iftekhar, Dubai

It’s better to change the route. We thought the Ukrainian airspace would be safe for civilian aircraft, until a tragedy took place.

Julia Hulia, Abu Dhabi