There are two widely popular myths here. First, there is the myth that Nicola Sturgeon’s presentation skills are concealing an actual failure on the ground. As the awful truth of what has happened in Tory England emerges, Scotland’s apparently superior performance cannot be accepted. From the Herald’s Macwhirter to the FT and now the often very good, Independent, otherwise informed media commentators are promoting the inaccurate statements from Scottish Labour and Conservatives. It’s wrong and I’ll repeat the evidence why it’s wrong below. Second, there is the myth that Scotland’s death rate is the third highest in the world. I’ll … Continue reading Even the ‘intelligent’ media cannot be trusted to tell the truth about Scotland and the virus

By Brenda Steele: It didn’t surprise me much when Jackson Carlaw demanded transparency at FMQs last month nor did the screaming headline of the Express   Nicola Sturgeon savaged in fiery FMQs clash – SNP leader rages at ‘cover-up’ claims NICOLA STURGEON unleashed her frustration at accusations of an SNP coronavirus cover-up in Scotland during First Minister’s Questions (FMQs) as Jackson Carlaw demanded more transparency. Wed, May 20, 2020 https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1284713/Nicola-Sturgeon-Scotland-fmqs-coronavirus-Nike-conference-Jackson-Carlaw   I assume that Mr Carlaw did not know that the majority of the infected were in fact from England, thus they were the responsibility of the English authorities and … Continue reading Does Ian Murray understand the consequences of giving up patient confidentiality for “transparency”?

In a stinging condemnation of both the performance and the lack of purpose of the Scottish Office, the Health Secretary Jeane Freeman, speaking to the Scottish Affairs Committee yesterday, was reported in the Holyrood Magazine last night: Freeman also said that the Scotland Office had not played any role in the relations between the UK and Scottish governments, going as far as to say that she could not remember having any communications with the Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack. While the Scotland Office is copied in to some letters between Freeman and Hancock, she said she was “not aware … Continue reading SNP Health Secretary exposes irrelevance of Scottish Office and Scottish Secretary

Called to the Scottish Affairs Committee apparently to answers questions from the likes of wee Andrew Bowie, Jeane Freeman seems to have taken no prisoners, dispensing quickly with the Scottish Secretary then identifying the failures in the UK Government’s performance. Freeman referred to a vacuum between the two governments, wondered why Cobra had not met since 10th of May and condemned the UK Government’s habit of deciding unilaterally what they would do before then merely communicating that to the devolved nations. Contrasting the two governments, she said: Our approach differs, from what I observe from UK Government approach, in that … Continue reading Scottish Health Secretary slams UK Government for failure to co-operate on pandemic

Readers may remember the piece we wrote on how only Channel 4 covered the launch of these innovative centres. It attracted more than 30 000 readers: Why are only Channel 4 and local newspapers reporting ‘Scotland’s unique way to treat virus?’ https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2020/03/28/why-are-only-channel-4-and-local-newspapers-reporting-scotlands-unique-way-to-treat-virus/ Now this optimistic sign of progress in managing the outbreak, passed to us by Brian McGowan: Capacity in place to rapidly remobilise in event of second spike Following a steady decline in the number of COVID 19 cases and a corresponding fall in attendances across Community Assessment Centres (CACs), NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has taken the decision to … Continue reading NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde begins winding down COVID-19 Community Assessement Centres which protected GPs during peak of crisis

By ArtyHetty: Have had several conversations about education recently, in relation to parents having to ‘home school’ and take the place of the ‘teacher’ while working from home. I was a home educator, (not by choice, that’s a long story of neglect in not providing support to a child with autism, by the Labour run LA and Labour run Holyrood a few years ago, all about £’s but they did send £1.5BILLION BACK to Westminster at the same time!) and yes it is a whole new way of thinking, not handing your child over to the state to be spoon … Continue reading Loving learning in the time of Coronavirus and remembering Labour sending £1.5 billion back

From the Times today: Thousands of cars a day are crossing the Scottish border from the north of England where coronavirus is again spreading in the community, official figures show. Drivers can still travel freely throughout the UK despite increasingly divergent restrictions, infections and deaths across the nations and regions. The First Minister announced today that the Scotland-wide R number has fallen to between 0.6 and 0.8. In Scotland’s rural border regions it is thought to be even lower. However, a steady flow of traffic, unchecked across the border, is putting Border communities at risk after reports that the R … Continue reading Calls for border controls as the R number falls again in Scotland but potentially infected hordes are crossing from worst -infected areas!

From the BBC today: The big story for BBC UK today but not being considered by BBC Scotland: The government is facing calls from Tory backbenchers to drop the 2m (6ft) social distancing rule in England. MPs, including former cabinet ministers Sir Iain Duncan Smith and Damian Green, say it is essential for the economy. The government has said it is constantly reviewing its coronavirus lockdown guidance. It follows the announcement of a further easing of restrictions in England, allowing single adults to stay at one other household from Saturday. No 10 said the change aims to help combat loneliness and … Continue reading ‘Cruel and heartless bastard’ calls for scrapping of 2 metre rule to support hospitality industry

Here’s what Helen McArdle had to say: The total number of people being treated in hospital in Scotland halved at the start of the Covid outbreak, as wards were emptied and new admissions severely restricted. Here’s what her cheerier other self said in another quantum dimension: Despite the ravages of the pandemic, NHS Scotland heroically managed to keep an astonishing 50% of other treatments going despite having to reduce admissions to make sure they could cope with the surge in demand predicted by UK experts. Helen, in this world, went on wearily to say: Even now, hospitals are only dealing with around … Continue reading As NHS Scotland begins to recover Herald Health Correspondent needs to look on the bright side a bit more

From the widely distrusted and non-credible Tom Gordon: ONLY a ‘pathetic’ few per cent of Scotland’s care home staff were tested for coronavirus last week, despite the SNP Government announcing universal routine testing three weeks ago. Health Secretary Jeane Freeman announced on May 18 that all 53,000 care home staff would be offered routine tests to help cut infections among residents. So, off we go again. I am tiring but I’m not going to stop until he does so I guess we might be here for some years to come: ‘SNP pledge?’ Was this in the last manifesto? Even BBC Scotland call the Scottish Government just that. Gordon … Continue reading Tom Gordon in full Anti-SNP mode