What is this morbid urge to get a big number for the headline? On the same page, 171 is equated to ‘nearly 200’. Oh no it isn’t. It might be ‘over 170’ if you want.
And, what about this good news (tempting fate I know):
Mortality rate in Scotland falls to 1 in 171 cases hospitalised from 1 in 151 yesterday.
Perhaps a bit ghoulish but Johnson started it with the jibe about Scotland having issues with resilience:
UK Mortality rate falls to 1 in 43 from 1 in 39 yesterday.
I know, too soon, too small a sample, too many variables, but it was OK to headline drug deaths in Scotland at 3 times the UK rate so Coronavirus mortality rate in England 4 times that in Scotland?
Talking-up Scotland 
Despite the massive bandwidth being occupied (understandably) by the Covid 19 developments NHS Scotland is continuing to introduce improved systems and therapies as these become available across the whole gamut of healthcare issues. The most welcome introduction of an improved screening procedure for Cervical smear tests got some media coverage at the weekend but was easy to miss in amongst the Covid 19 headlines. Link and snippet from news.gov.scot below:
https://news.gov.scot/news/smear-test-to-screen-for-hpv
Improved test to prevent cervical cancer.
Cervical screening tests will now also screen for the human papillomavirus (HPV) – the main cause of cervical cancer.
From Monday, 16 March, those going for cervical screening, also known as the smear test, will receive a more sensitive test which will screen for HPV and help ensure cell changes are identified and treated earlier.
The new test is more effective at identifying those at risk of developing cervical cancer meaning women who don’t have HPV will be invited for a cervical screening test every five years instead of every three.
Chief Medical Officer Catherine Calderwood said:
“Introducing HPV testing as part of the main smear test will improve health outcomes for women and ultimately save more lives.
“The way the test is carried out will not change – so it’s important women still attend their cervical screening appointment when invited. It is normal to feel anxious, but going for your test is the best way of preventing cervical cancer.
“It is important that those who have been vaccinated for HPV still go for screening. This is because the vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV that can cause cancer. It’s the combination of the HPV vaccination and cervical screening that should eventually wipe out cervical cancer in Scotland.
“Women who are found to have HPV will be closely monitored and treated if required, meaning HPV is extremely unlikely to develop into cervical cancer.”
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He was interviewed last year, I think it was, by Jackie Bird. He started to say something about independence along the lines you have reported above. She almost had a fit and cut him off almost mid-sentence. She clearly thought he was still, vaguely, anti-independence and was obviously taken aback that he was not.
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Apologies this reply relates to your post below. Listening to news and typing a post clearly not covered by my multi-tasking skills
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STV News site carrying an interesting short embedded interview with Billy Connolly regarding his current art exhibition in Glasgow – but expand the interview to include his observations regarding Scotland’s political predicament – and note how his political stance has altered over time. A good piece of reportage. The beeb site has been carrying a tiny embedded interview with Billy regarding his exhibition but no similar straying into Billy’s considered observations on Scotland’s political situation from the Ukanian State broadcaster – can’t imagine why not? STV news link and snippet below:
https://news.stv.tv/entertainment/sir-billy-on-art-independence-and-the-duke-of-wellington
Sir Billy on art, independence and the Duke of Wellington
The comedian has spoken to STV News about his new artwork and his thoughts on independence.
While once Sir Billy was a staunch opposer of Scottish independence, he has a more pragmatic response to the question of a second referendum these days, adding that while he won’t be ‘leading the parade’ for the cause, he will happily support it if the side wins.
“There’s a great love of Scotland making itself apparent. And they’re fed up voting for people and getting what other people vote for. They’re rightly angry about it,” he says.
“I go with the flow, I’m not a flag waver. I won’t be leading the parade for anything. But if Scotland wants it, Scotland will get it, and I’ll be there clapping.”
For now, Sir Billy is happy to be enjoying a world of colour through his art, which will be on display in Glasgow until March 22.
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I had an OPD appointment today – 6 month check-up. Lots of sanitizers, more so than previously, especially near doors AND people were using them. Waiting room – people were automatically choosing where to eit so that the 3 feet distance was observed. Chatted to the specialist nurse before my examination and she said they had quite a few unoccupied beds because elective ops had been cancelled sometimes by the patient and sometimes by the clinician presumably to free up staff ahead of the expected rush and perhaps to re-train some in emergency ICU care.
A small sample but people by and large seem to have taken the message on board and hospitals are getting ready.
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