Glasgow, Lockdown and Social Distancing



Well the news from Glasgow's front-line this week is just 'more of the same' really.

Lots of cyclists continue to behave badly and lots of non-family groups continue to meet up on Glasgow Green.

The most outrageous example of non-family gatherings being the large number of young people attending some kind of outdoor party, up by the five-a-side football pitches, which predictably involved lots of underage drinking.

The real issue for me is not so much that people get together, but whether they continue to keep a safe distance from each other while enjoying the company of their families and friends.

From Friday onwards the new lockdown 'rules' will mean that we can meet up with just one other person from a different household, albeit with the important proviso that these joyful reunions take place outdoors.

Now that seems to be missing the point if you ask me, because the real issue is people should maintain a safe distance from each other, wash their hands much more frequently and keep their hands away from their faces - all of which may be reinforced by wearing a face mask.

So I expect the public will increasingly vote with their feet which will force the authorities to come up with a more convincing public safety message than one which revolves around meeting your friends and loved ones in the local park.     


  



Glasgow, Lockdown and Social Distancing (25/05/20)



I went on my usual walk into the city centre and around Glasgow Green yesterday after the weekend's wind and rain had subsided. 

Same story as in previous days - lots of people were out and about in what were clearly not family groups and selfish cyclists continue to barrel past pedestrians without minding their distance.

So the social distancing 'rules' are a bit of a joke, if you ask me and while I see plenty of police officers driving around in their cars, I have never personally witnessed any police officer taking action to enforce the rules. 

I suspect things will get worse in the days ahead and while I agree with those who think that Dominic Cummings is a real dickhead, I would be more impressed if political leaders in Glasgow were just as 'worked up' about what's happening in their own back yard.



  


Lockdown Rules - Glasgow Green (16/05/20)



Just back from Glasgow Green there was no sign of any bampot 'lockdown' protesters, sadly. 



I did pass around 15 male cyclists who were clearly not in a family group yet didn't seem to be in any danger of arrest by the 'thin blue line' at Police Scotland.



I also encountered another couple of 'asshole' cyclists who shot by me at high speed as I crossed this path - a rude, ignorant and potentially dangerous pair of morons.



So it proved to be an interesting and eventful visit albeit one which confirms my view that the current lockdown 'rules' are impossible to justify at times and that they are being enforced on a highly selective basis.

  



Family Groups and Essential Purposes (15/05/20)



I won't be attending the anti-lockdown events planned for Glasgow and Edinburgh on Saturday, but I do think it's a bit rich for Police Scotland  to be warning about the potential dangers when the same thing happens in parks and other public spaces on a daily basis.

For example, I go for a walk in Glasgow Green almost every day and it's been common for weeks now to see lots of other Glaswegians in non-family groups out enjoying themselves, particularly when the sun is shining.

So while I have no time for the conspiracy theorists and anti-vaxxers, I do think the authorities should face up to the fact that the 'rules' on lockdown are being upheld on a highly selective basis.

 


https://www.scotsman.com/news/crime/utterly-irresponsible-public-told-avoid-anti-lockdown-events-planned-across-scotland-2852218?

'Utterly irresponsible' - Public told to avoid anti-lockdown events planned across Scotland

Organisers are telling people to bring a picnic to the events across the UK and Ireland.

By Conor Matchett - The Scotsman 

Police Scotland have warned people not to attend 'mass gatherings' planned for this weekend Copyright: PA (Press Association)

Police Scotland have “strongly urged” people to avoid planned events which are protesting lockdown across Scotland and the rest of the UK this weekend.

Leaflets have been posted across social media advertising a “Unified Peaceful Mass Gathering” at locations across the country including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen and Dundee.

The flyers call on people to “bring a picnic” to the events and “say no to the coronavirus bill, no to mandatory vaccines, no to the new normal, and no to the unlawful lockdown”.

Police Scotland have warned people not to attend the events Copyright: PA (Press Association)

They add: “Let’s have some fun and say yes to life!”

Multiple conspiracy theories and mis-information campaigns around the safety of vaccines have been debunked, and the current lockdown is legal due to legislation enforcing it having passed through parliament.

Mark Brown, a Conservative councillor in Drum Brae/Gyle ward in Edinburgh where the event is due to take place labelled the organisers “Covidiots".

He said: “We’ve seen the term ‘Covidiots’ used during this pandemic and these suggested events really do beggar belief and are utterly irresponsible.

“I’d strongly urge that people avoid attending and those behind even contemplating putting people’s lives at danger by promoting these events should consider the serious consequences and impact of their actions.

“Both Hillwood Park and Holyrood Park remain lovely, sizeable, areas for folk to exercise locally and this should continue to be the case whilst observing social distancing guidelines.”

Edinburgh City Council leader Adam McVey said: “The vast majority of residents across the city are following the expert advice and are observing physical distancing measures and for this I am hugely grateful. Lockdown is difficult for all of us, but there is absolutely no excuse for putting residents’ lives at risk.

“A mass gathering in the city centre this weekend would be completely irresponsible. We’ll work closely with Government and the Police but our citizens should steer clear of this far right movement and let the Police handle it.”

A spokesman for Police Scotland said: "We have been made aware of these leaflets and would strongly urge people not to take part.

“The Scottish Government's guidance is clear - people should only leave the house for very limited purposes, for example for basic necessities, such as food and medicine, for exercise, for medical needs or travelling for work which cannot be done at home.

“Public gatherings of more than two people, with limited exceptions, are prohibited."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The law is clear that gatherings of more than two people in public remain banned in Scotland, except for example where everyone in the gathering are members of the same household or where it is essential for work purposes.

“The advice remains to stay at home. People should only be leaving their homes if they have a reasonable excuse, for example for essential travel – to work if they are a key worker, for food and for exercise.

“While we appreciate that this can be frustrating for people, these measures are needed to stop the spread of the virus, protect the vulnerable and save lives.”

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