Mixed Messages and Covid-19
One minute the Scottish Government announces a relaxation of Covid restrictions over Christmas, next thing you know Nicola Sturgeon is warning fellow Scots against spending time with their family and friends.
Unsurprisingly the Scottish Sun was fast out of the blocks with an amusing article about spending this year's Christmas 'Home Alone' - see link below.
Now the background is that people in much of Scotland's central belt have been banned from meeting in each other's households since early September - with much of the hospitality sector being closed down as well.
Yet the number of Covid cases has continued to rise in recent months and the only answer the Scottish Government has up its sleeve is the prospect of even more restrictions and lockdowns - which looks increasingly like a counsel of despair.
So should we be having a Christmas break if the price is a 'third wave' of Covid cases in the New Year and what does this latest move say about politicians who insist they've been following the science from Day One?
XMAS PLEA
Coronavirus Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon urges Scots to snub meeting family for Christmas by staying Home Alone
By Christine Lavelle - Scottish Sun
NICOLA Sturgeon today called on Scots to snub her offer of meeting loved ones for Christmas — and to stay at home instead.
The First Minister urged people to remain within their own households just hours after announcing a five-day festive easing of Covid restrictions.
Sturgeon echoed hit movie by urging Scots to stay Home Alone at Xmas
And she said her “default advice” was for a season of relative solitude — echoing hit movie Home Alone, starring Macaulay Culkin as a kid left by himself when his family forgets him on a Crimbo holiday.
It comes after the Nats leader revealed loved ones can form “bubbles” with up to two other households to spend time together between December 23 and 27.
But she asked for “informed choices” to be made on whether to take advantage of the relaxations on indoor meetings — insisting folk shouldn’t get together “just because” they can.
At her daily coronavirus briefing, Ms Sturgeon said: “If you can get through this Christmas staying in your own home, within your own household, please do so.
Scots will ‘pay’ for mixing at Xmas with deaths and harsh curbs, warn experts
“If you’ve been making painful sacrifices for eight months to keep those you love safe, then think about whether you want to take a risk with their safety at this eleventh hour in this horrible journey we’re all going through.”
Ms Sturgeon advised that those who do decide to meet up should consider taking a walk to swap presents instead of sitting down for Christmas dinner together.
And she said if gatherings must be held indoors, windows should be opened to increase ventilation — with guests bringing their own cutlery and glasses. She added: “Think about maybe taking things yourself that you would normally just use in somebody else’s house.
Nicola Sturgeon urged Scots not to use festive bubbles to meet family
“Make sure you’re cleaning things. Make sure that even though it’s the depth of December, you’ve got windows open so there’s good ventilation. Don’t forget to wash your hands. Just keep a bit of physical distance, which we know in people’s houses is more difficult.
“But even coming together in these very tight limits that we’re setting — and remember these are outer limits — it can’t be a normal experience. It shouldn’t be a normal experience if you’re trying your hardest to protect those around you.
“All of this sounds difficult and strange, but we are living in difficult and strange times.”
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman previously urged caution if mixing at Christmas amid bug spread fears.
