I’m a bit surprised to see that The Herald has a ‘Senior Rangers Writer‘. I feel sure they must have one for Celtic. I’ll do the Junior Bairns Writer job part-time for nothing. You can’t have a Senior Bairns Writer. It doesn’t work, does it? Anyhow back to the main story: Jack’s argument that the game must go on, unlike in England where a surge among footballers and other staff, has resulted in mass call-offs because the ‘pandemic protocols‘ in Scottish football are working. He’s also correct, though he may not know it, because the background community infection level in … Continue reading The Herald’s ‘Senior Rangers Writer’ is correct

According to the Guardian yesterday: Absence rates in some hospitals are now between 8% and 12%, versus the health service’s normal level of 4%, just as the NHS comes under the greatest strain in its history. Three days ago, The Scottish Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties warned health services were in danger of being overwhelmed. Their warning was heavily reported in the Scottish media: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-55458992 However, as Andrew Marr put it, when you look at the data, isn’t the truth that it isn’t? Here are the data: There are approximately 160 000 staff in NHS Scotland. The absence level peaked at … Continue reading Why is NHS Scotland staff absence so much lower?

Facilitating the profiteering of international organised crime groups, the actions of corrupt elites and kleptocrats, and those funding efforts to undermine democracy By stewartb: It seems somehow fitting to write on this topic on the day of final victory for the Brexiteers and their apologists – on Day One of a glorious, global Britain. It also seems fitting to focus on an especially egregious issue on the day when the lack of agency for Scotland’s electorate is shown up so starkly. We may read about such things with distaste and worse but we in Scotland can do precious little to … Continue reading This precious Union

Not much reported but in the small print of the BBC report clearing Andrew Marr of bias just because he used the wrong data to lie to viewers, is a requirement that he and his staff get help. Again, not reported in the media, but Talking-Up Scotland’s chief statistician has got the contract to provide the help. Being either lazy or just smart, he has simply been forwarding readily available UK Gov stats to the Marr team. Here are the latest: So the infection rate over the last seven days has been nearly 4 times higher than in Scotland, in … Continue reading Andrew Marr show to get help

Though it has been only two days of increases after more than a week of falling numbers from the 21st, the last two day’s data are concerning. From 969 on the 28th to 1 895 yesterday and now, 2 045 today, I feel sure we’re all holding our breath. BBC Scotland has been quick to report a ‘record’ rise and the Herald has, for the first time ever, correctly chosen ‘surge’. Having spent much time in the past downplaying the significance of changes in figures, I must recognise these increases as ‘major.‘ BBC UK, perhaps hardened by the last few … Continue reading Major increase in infections in Scotland but to less than Half of that in every other part of UK

It’s been coming for some time. Ian Macwhirter, apparent supporter of independence in 2014 but soon disgruntled supplier of bitter opinion pieces attacking Nicola, NHS Scotland and anything Scottish, has finally come out. This revisionist piece today places him well for a career in London as a house jock. He writes: Like him or loathe him, Boris Johnson will tonight become one of the most important political figures of the past century when the House of Commons finally votes for his Brexit trade deal. Thus ends nearly half a century of British membership of the European Union, and the Brexit culture war … Continue reading Macwhirter for top job at Telegraph?

In the mainstream, only the Guardian headline was honest and accurate. BBC Scotland diverted the story from the facts to just an opinion with: Scottish fishing industry ‘deeply aggrieved’ by Brexit deal and Gutted: Europe’s fishing deal with the UK The Herald too avoided the facts with: Brexit Deal: Scottish Government claims key fishing stocks landed will reduce and Gove denies UK Govt has ‘betrayed’ fishing industry, insisting EU trade deal will leave it in stronger position The truth will out, on social media if nowhere else, by the next Holyrood election and Scotland’s North-East Tories must surely feel the … Continue reading Is Tory Cod-psychology effect on North-East Scotland wearing off?

In a typically Anglocentric piece, the Guardian suggests: The health service is struggling to cope with record numbers of Covid cases to such an extent that some patients may be denied access to an intensive care unit or the chance to go on a mechanical ventilator, the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA) said on Tuesday. There is no mention of the situation in Scotland. The Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association warned of this on the 16th September: HCSA calls for rethink on ‘diluted’ infection control guidelines HCSA has called for an urgent rethink of England’s Covid-19 response in order to help … Continue reading Did Public Health England trigger its own crisis?

How they wished. How it has turned out: Coronavirus deaths per 1 million population 1 San Marino 1,737 2 Belgium 1,656 3 Slovenia 1,265 4 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1,230 5 Italy 1,209 6 North Macedonia 1,187 7 (8) Peru   England 1,132   1,108 8 (10) Andorra   Wales 1,086   1,083 9 Spain 1,079 10 Montenegro 1,078 11 Bulgaria 1,070 12 Czechia 1,054 13 UK 1,051 14 USA 1,044 15 Liechtenstein 995 16 France 981 17 Hungary 963 18 Argentina 948 19 Mexico 948 20 Armenia 943 21 Croatia 927 22 Panama 905 23 Brazil 903 24 Switzerland 863 … Continue reading 30th: Nothing to be proud of but worth being accurate about?

From YouGov based on 147 18 plus Scots with polling on 21st 22nd December: Con 18% Lab 13% LD 5% SNP 57% Brexit 2% Green 2% Other 2% The SNP support is up from previous YouGov polls on the 16th (53%), 9th (49%) and 3rd (47%). The Sun disclosure of the First Minister’s mask error was on the 22nd but a bit late in the day. Let’s see if the next poll indicates any fall out. The 16 plus votes might have taken support to 60%. Continue reading Pro-independence parties at 59% for Westminster