REPORTS that the “Kent mutation” of the Covid-19 virus is becoming dominant in the south-east of the UK were followed by an immediate mass exodus being allowed on crowded transport from these areas, to destinations across the UK, so the UK Government’s south-east England containment plan has already demonstrably failed.
Reports suggest that the latest mutation is no more deadly and indeed that vaccination may still offer protection. However, this misses the point that the protecting of the elderly and vulnerable has already moved beyond them simply not circulating in society, but involves the layering of support staff and infrastructure in a protective shield around them.
READ MORE: Scottish Tory MP demands to know why police are doubling patrols on English border
Whether these existing layers of protective shielding will be sufficient against a more infectious mutation remains to be seen, so the vaccination of the shielded in Scotland must be expedited, and with the utmost haste.
Then of course there are the No-Deal Brexit Covid-19 secure lorry parks and the No-Deal Brexit Covid-19 secure lorry snakes at the ports. It does look as if essential travelling will also require an early vaccination rollout.
As for the hospitality industry, well it looks like they have effectively just lost their 1m+ social distance standard and may therefore be relying upon those who have been vaccinated to get their businesses going again.
So, it is looking as if Scotland is going to need a digital health card for its citizens, acceptable for use/reference across Scotland, the EU, and rUK, which needs to be rapidly progressed, ahead of Holyrood 2021, and indyref2, so that Scotland can remove yet one more barrier to becoming an independent EU nation state, and add resilience to its society and businesses.
Stephen Tingle
Greater Glasgow
I AM getting very frustrated hearing various experts and commentators talking about the Covid-19 virus as if it’s a clever and cunning wee beastie.
On Saturday Boris Johnson described the virus as changing its mode of attack.
The virus is not like a tic or a flea or a midge looking for a human to pounce on. It doesn’t hide around corners waiting for the unwary so it can launch an assault.
The only way that the virus spreads is by an infected person passing on the virus either on their breath or spreading it onto a surface.
Covid-19 is an inanimate and miniscule thing that only becomes animated when it enters a host, whether animal or human.
READ MORE: Senior Tory calls for ministers to resign in Christmas Covid cover-up
This is important to recognise as it underlines the need for us all to do the right things to avoid the spread of the disease.
If we all do the right thing, the virus cannot spread.
When we see pictures of masses of people ignoring social distance, ignoring masks and generally behaving like they are immune, there is no surprise that the virus spreads.
Some commentators are complaining that the tier system is not working therefore what’s the point of having them.
My answer to this is that they would work if the 10-20% of the population who ignore the rules would stop behaving like Trumpist idiots and follow the rules.
Harry Key
Largoward, Fife
WITH further Christmas restrictions, lockdowns and the extension of the furlough scheme to April next year, it is past time to ask the uncomfortable question whether the lockdowns and other extreme measures against Covid-19 are actually justified.
The average age of death from Covid in England is 82 years old. Scottish statistics gives figures of 79 for men and 85 for women. More than 90% of Covid deaths were among people with pre-existing conditions, with Alzheimer’s being the most common of these. Largely this disease is killing the frail, sick elderly.
The death rate in Sweden (73 per 100,000), which has never had a lockdown and has largely avoided masks, is lower than that in the UK (96 per 100,000).
We have known the demographics, risk factors and death rates for Covid-19 since the spring, and yet public policy is still conducted as if Imperial College’s discredited computer model and Professor Ferguson’s discredited prediction of half a million dead were true.
The economy has been plunged into a deep recession and the UK national debt will increase by about £400 billion this year. The only rational conclusion is that the authorities have grossly overreacted and people should be freed to get on with rebuilding their lives and the economy.
Otto Inglis
Crossgates, Fife
IT was heartening to read the latest poll giving 58% supporting independence. I have, like many others, being following the bumbling, stumbling trade negotiations between the UK and the EU. The UK continually blame the EU for not being flexible and meeting the UK demands.
It is becoming more essential that we regain our independence from this broken Union. When we do, if it is the will of the people we can rejoin the EU. This would allow us to go back to the same tariff-free trading arrangements we enjoyed pre-Brexit. Scotland would reap the benefits of this trading agreement and become a wealthy nation. We would also enjoy the ability to travel freely and without the additional checks and paperwork that we will have to endure after Brexit. We would be able to live, work and study in the Eurozone as we did pre-Brexit – just think how great that would be.
Gordon Walker
Paisley
ANOTHER source of pleasure to elude us this Christmas Day – no National!!
Ann Leitch
via email
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel