I noticed early in lockdown that government statistics showed a direct correlation between a lack of vitamin D and a poor outcome if infected with the coronavirus.

But it was only a few days ago that I read a piece explaining how people from an African genetic background have a less efficient ability to make vitamin D in their skin, while being far better at warding off skin cancers caused by ultra-violet radiation, all due to melanin in the skin.

If someone such as myself with no scientific background can learn these facts, why haven’t government health experts, who should be aware, warned a large segment of the population to ensure they were getting sufficient vitamin D in their diet?

Christine Brewster

Plume Avenue

Maldon