Covid-19 cases were up by 245 infections yesterday in Scotland and 3899 in England. There were 18 deaths in England sadly and none in Scotland thankfully yesterday, we also heard this morning and over the weekend that new restrictions were being considered for Scotland and the rest of the UK. It really is a sore one as there are so many mixed views on this, we had some friends up at our house on Saturday and Sunday, would normally just have everyone up for food at the same time with all the kids but decided to stick to a one family at a time approach, set a good example and all of that but the discussion was very interesting.
I am all for measured restrictions coming in to try and stop a second wave of this horrible virus, we know that it is getting worse across Scotland, the UK, and Europe, some places worse than others that is for sure. I thought that bringing in a curfew for bars and restaurants, possibly a curfew for young people of around 8.00pm and for adults 10.00pm, shops closing at 10.00pm each night might help reduce larger groups of people getting together and spreading the virus, this would also help with people stock piling as reports over the weekend noted that people are starting to stock pile again as shops in England started to show an increase in the sale of flour, toilet roll, tin goods etc. I would also go as far of not returning to the office until the new year where it is not vital for us to be there. However, some felt that we just need to hammer home social distancing, face coverings, hand washing etc and maybe get the shops to start enforcing social distancing again. My friends felt that we just cannot add too many more restrictions as people have had enough but surely health has to come first or at the very least protecting the elderly and those most at risk.
Either way I do not envy Nicola Sturgeon having this decision to make but if we want to keep schools open, if we want colleges and universities to stay open or open up at all we are going to have to bite the bullet either way. I know that I don’t see why the furlough scheme has to end in a few weeks, surely it makes more sense to continue it for the hospitality sector at the very least, also sports facilities etc should see it continue. Ending furlough when most of the EU are going to continue it is a typical Tory mantra, they don’t care about health, they care about money. We are at a cross roads today and hopefully there will be an update as I must admit I find them helpful and I am not happy at BBC Scotland turning them into a political event by inviting opposition politicians onto the briefing programmes, at no point have the SNP Government tried to make political capital out of this horrible situation unlike the Scottish unionist parties.
Whatever happens today there will need to be changes as we cannot allow a second wave of this virus to hit or we are back to square one and winter is just around the corner, yes we have enjoyed a nice weekend but as we know that will change in the coming weeks and that is when it will get very dangerous indeed. Would love to hear what you all think so please take the time to share your view if you can.
grumpyscottishman.wordpress.com 
Speaking to my cousin in Melbourne, and they already have a curfew from dusk till dawn, and it appears to be observed, so why not?
Ray
Something has to give surely or this gets out of control again, I know it is hard for many. My wife is African and most of her friends are also and they really struggle with it all as family and friends, eating together, spending time together is a cultural norm every day for their peer group and they were saying that at the weekend when we had to split the get together as it was our turn to facilitate the get together. We have got to do what we need to I think or we will be back in a world of pain before we know it, I work with young people and many have really struggled this year but young people are spreading the virus now to their older family etc so there needs to be some common sense.
Thanks for commenting and please stay safe. Bruce
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Not sure what to say or what to think. Without a central bank and a treasury we can’t lockdown. If the disease is on the march then folk will generally avoid the pubs and restaurants anyway. most folk are already working from home if they can. It is a mess and we are hamstrung by our political ssituation. Maybe just go the sweden route but would our folk pay enough attnetion to make a success of it? I live in the East end of glasgow and folk aren’t wearing masks in shops as much as they should do. They are wearing it on public transport right enough but not in shops so distancing won’t be being observed. It is a mess and a deep recession. No way round it at all. Bad times are here and worse probably to come. The FM (I’m not a fan of her leadership of the SNP) is in a hopeless position and I have a lot of sympathy with her on that at least.
Gordie
You are correct but if the Furlough scheme runs until the end of October they could close things down until then and just bite the bullet after that due to as you say no control over the money in any meaningful way. I would bring in curfews at least for everyone, no visits to other houses, no care home visits, compulsory face coverings for all as too many are not wearing them, not a huge amount but one is too many, but it is a mess and by following England for whatever reason (I think the pressure has gotten to NS from the yoons) the message becomes confused when in the main in Scotland it hasn’t been too bad. I would go back to basically unless you have to be out, and daily exercise, stay home end of, because the alternative with the winter coming could be much worse.
Thanks for commenting and stay safe. Bruce
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Aye right enough. I forgot about the furlough not being finished yet. I was stuck thinking we would have to extend it if we locked down the pubs again
Geordie
Just an idea but looking at the slight new measures it doesn’t look like enough. I would have went with a stay at home message other than work, education, essential shopping and exercise. I just can’t see these measures slowing this down but I really do hope I am wrong I really do.
Thanks for commenting. Bruce
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The world hasn’t got a handle on the virus , we cannot and will not get a handle on it either because we aren’t in full control of our own country . The media will twist everything and the unionist’s will still play games putting life’s at risk . If we can get rid of them maybe we’ll have a fighting chance , but sadly the SNP are spineless . The won’t close the border , they won’t close off air, sea and rail travel to and from Scotland , I am aware most are reserved , and that’s the point . We are watching the end of the union and the UK , the Tories are going to breach three international treaties and still the SNP haven’t said enough is enough . What is more important , doing all you can to save lives including ending the union or not having the guts to because of the perception for voters .
Simple solution , wear a mask everywhere out doors , keep your distance and don’t be stupid .
I read this a month ago , you might like it .
https://www.businessforscotland.com/its-time-for-annual-ground-floor-and-roof-rent/
Ricky
I don’t disagree, the new measures announced today are not enough and we are probably looking at more a month from now. The SNP Government have just followed England because they are worried about upsetting the yoons. I would have went for a stricter approach to start with, stay at home other than work, education, essential shopping and exercise. Probably still not enough but better than a curfew that will result in binge drinking as last orders are shouted, the not visiting another house I agree with but that will be tough as I do visit my elderly Mum and disabled brother at weekends and have had to say that I will do their shopping but I am back to just dropping it off at the door and a quick chat. I am not taking risks, I work with young people and am at more risk in some ways so I certainly do not want to risk getting this and passing it on to my mother and brother but I do agree with you that the fact we don’t have control over all the leavers means we are more at risk and the SNP haven’t done enough for years when it comes to challenging the English Government, as I have said next year will be the last mandate the SNP get from me if I don’t see any real action, if they don’t get a move on then they are no better really than the unionist parties and I will just not vote at all or vote for any alternative yes party.
Thanks for commenting and please stay safe. Bruce
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