The UK total death toll increased by an appalling 53 in one day to reach 233. In sharp contrast there was only 1 further fatality, to reach 7, in Scotland. The UK mortality rate is now 47 in 1 000 cases while in Scotland it is 19 in 1 000 cases. The almost 3 to 1 ratio has been constant now since the first deaths. With more than 5 000 cases hospitalised across the UK, it is clear that something is happening here or perhaps I should say, is not happening, in Scotland. I won’t revise the possible explanations again. … Continue reading Coronavirus Update: The Miracle of NHS Scotland

From [the learned] stewartb: Quite a lot published on the significance of location of hand sanitisers in hospitals for levels of usage by visitors. From a very quick and non-expert root around the literature, I’m not sure this consultant’s point about sanitisers near the main entrance to the hospital is necessarily supported by evidence. For example: Hobbs et al (2016) Visitor characteristics and alcohol-based hand sanitizer (AHS) dispenser locations at the hospital entrance: Effect on visitor use rates. American Journal of Infection Control Issue 3, 258-262  https://www.healthdesign.org/knowledge-repository/visitor-characteristics-and-alcohol-based-hand-sanitizer-dispenser-locations These authors conclude that the placement of an AHS dispenser in a lobby … Continue reading Why the anaesthetist might be wrong about positioning of hand-sanitisers

Yesterday we heard, repeated: ‘Now as the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise in Scotland, concerns [sic] have been raised over hand hygiene at the nation’s biggest hospital. A senior doctor who works as a consultant anaesthetist in the hospital says the supermarkets are doing the better job in ensuring people sanitise their hands than the NHS.’ So it’s the concern, singular, of one medic. No other medic has come forward. She visited two areas and waited for ten minutes. One supermarket was wiping the trolley handles. I’ve been in three recently with no sign of that. So, not … Continue reading BBC Drivetime can’t wash its hands of this scare story

This is not a Scottish story. It has no Scottish content. No Scottish medic is present in it. BBC UK are hot on the trail of this story: BBC Scotland have nothing on this so you can be sure there’s nothing to be had. The Herald had a go at this last week but with their evidence based risibly and only on comments in a Facebook chat hosted by one GP: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2020/03/13/heralds-irresponsible-and-unreliable-journalism-as-coronavirus-worries-grow/ Continue reading Herald bringing you the news where you don’t live and of medical shortages there too

With only 2 of 91 cases resulting in fatality, Greater Glasgow and Clyde has a mortality rate of only 11 per 1 000, below the Scottish average of 18 and way below the UK average of 54 deaths per 1 000, yet one Glasgow doctor became a headline to malign the reputation of its super hospital. That hugely impressive performance in saving lives deserves praise and not this foul-smelling attack fuelled by a single doctor who is either media-naive or has some agenda. How did this story get to BBC Scotland? Did Dr Henderson approach them rather than the hospital … Continue reading BBC Scotland fakes news about Glasgow’s super hospital again as it saves lives way beyond what others in the UK have achieved

In Herald today, after some opening waffle and a wee dig at Swinney, we get this on putting coronavirus into perspective. All it needs are the standardised hospitality mortality rates to make it really really interesting but they’re not out yet: In 2018, the number of deaths recorded in Scotland was 58,503. That is a daily average of 160. In England and Wales, the 2018 total was 541,589 and the daily average 1,484. In Northern Ireland it was 15,922 in total in 2018, with a daily average of 44. Across the whole UK, the death total for 2018 was 616,014, … Continue reading ‘There will be an overlap between those killed by coronavirus and those who would have died in the coming months from other causes’ SHOCK: Tom Gordon writes something good!

With a sample now of nearly 4 000 hospitalised cases of coronavirus infection, there is clear evidence of a dramatic gap in the mortality rate between NHS Scotland [18 per 1000] and NHS England [54 per 1 000]. On average, patients in one NHS are 3 TIMES more likely to die than they are in another. Figures here: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2020/03/20/scotlands-hospitals-impressive-and-heroic-efforts-in-holding-back-coronavirus-mortality/ Last year the death rate of Scottish drug addicts was headlined repeatedly in a feeding frenzy of media coverage and political accusations. The gap was the same. Scottish drug addicts were dying at 3 TIMES the rate. Why is one of … Continue reading Are outsourced cleaning and catering the explanation for the UK’s coronavirus mortality gap?

From stewartb The ‘broken record’ A recurring complaint of the TUSC is that journalists in the corporate media and the BBC in Scotland too often fail to inform properly by not providing CONTEXT to what they report. This is especially so in their coverage of public services and the economy. Context is absent for reasons best known to the journalists themselves. Is it because they lack understanding of the very meaning of ‘significance’; do they lack depth of understanding of wider factors of relevance to their topic; would they claim they ‘don’t have the time’ for research – or having … Continue reading Benefit fraud almost invisible compared to anything else!

In Scotland, with its independent criminal justice system, all new jury trials have already been stopped, and more restrictions have been brought in for safety reasons during the pandemic:Scottish courts announce further restrictions to business | Law Society of ScotlandScottish courts announce further restrictions to business | Law Society of ScotlandSummary criminal trials to focus on custody cases due to COVID-19 “Further measures to counter the “significant impact” the coronavirus pandemic is having on Scottish court business have been announced by Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service. In criminal cases, where a stop has already been put on any new jury … Continue reading The high churn of people squeezed into England’s filthy court buildings

This afternoon I received confirmation from legal counsel that the  #PeoplesAS30  summons has come back from court and is ready to serve on the Advocate General of the UK. The question was asked as to whether we should hold off on doing so, based on the current turmoil. I am fully aware that the First Minister has halted campaigning for the foreseeable future due to #Covid19. However, this case stands separate from any party or any parliament. It is the will of members of the ordinary electorate. Where physical campaigning may cause issues with this pandemic and therefore a pause is … Continue reading Update on the Scottish People vs the UK Government on Indyref2