Chickens, Closures and Covid-19

I've just finished watching the Scottish Parliament debate the latest measures for combatting Covid-19 - contributions from MSPs varied enormously with many reading woodenly from pre-prepared statements.

If you ask me, the most thoughtful contribution came from Willie Rennie who made a good point about a recent Covid outbreak in a chicken factory in Coupar Angus.

Now, unsurprisingly, this local outbreak did not result in the closure of every chicken plant across Scotland.

So why did the Scottish Government decide to shut down all restaurants and bars in Scotland's central belt without any evidence that restaurants and bars were responsible for the recent big spike in Covid cases?

More to the point if Scotland's building and manufacturing industries are to remain open during all levels of the new 5 tier plan, where is the plan for the hospitality, entertainment and tourism industries to achieve the same.

As ever there are more questions than answers, but I didn't hear a word of regret or apology from Scottish Ministers for helping to create this crisis by recklessly bringing students back to their universities and halls of residence. 

 

Tiers, Plans and Covid Lockdowns (27/10/20)

Today's the big day when we get to hear more details about Scotland's new tiers or levels of Covid restrictions which for some strange reason are numbered zero to four instead of one to five. 

I may watch the event 'live' on TV as I'm very interested in what the Scottish Government has to say - while we're not back exactly where we started in March, I think it is fair to say the politicians have lost control since their disastrous decision to allow students to return to universities and their halls of residence.

In which case what are the politicians planning to do other than locking us all down again for weeks on end - surely they don't believe that an endless series of Groundhog Day 'lockdowns' is the way to defeat Covid-19?

So if I were the Scottish Minister, instead of cancelling Christmas or Halloween, I'd be asking myself why so many people (albeit a minority) are ignoring the Government's message on public safety. 

Then I would set about finding new, different and more effective ways of persuading people about the importance of social distancing, wearing face coverings and remaining cautious at all times. 

 

Thunderbirds Are Go! (21/10/20)

 

5, 4, 3, 2 , 1 (21/10/20)

The Herald reports that a mere three Covid-19 restriction tiers may not be enough for Scotland - we may need five for some reason to get the job done.