Covid virus is not going to observe a 'Christmas truce' – Angus Robertson

Nicola Sturgeon is absolutely right to be cautious about a Christmas easing of coronavirus restrictions.

Christmas may have to be a more intimate affair this year (Picture: Shutterstock)

The inherent dangers of multiple families meeting indoors without social distancing, over food and often excessive drink for extended hours should be blindingly obvious even to Covid sceptics.

It is remarkable that some people seem to believe there can be some kind of festive truce like during WW1, with a deadly viral enemy that is programmed to spread regardless.

For some odd reason, some think because it is Christmas we should discount the acute risks inherent on 364 other days of the year, accept the inevitable infections and deaths as a consequences and make everyone pay the lockdown price in the weeks and months that follow.

As one of my friends put it pointedly on social media: “My son's grandma who he has never met because of travel restrictions due to Covid will be spending his Christmas with just us. But you go and enjoy that family gathering, which will spread the virus and mean he has to wait even longer.”

Don’t misunderstand the point I’m making. It’s not that Christmas (or Chanukah for that matter) is unimportant, it is just that the cost of uncontrolled large-scale ‘business as usual’ celebrations makes it irresponsible.

Understandably people want to see and spend time with their loved ones. I do too. However, we must remain vigilant and cautious over the festive period. Coronavirus will not be taking the day off and we should not let down our guard.

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