Covid: We cannot allow resurgance of virus through our own carelessness – Christine Grahame MSP

The coronavirus outbreak is not over and we still need to wear masks, socially distance and abide by the guidelines, writes Christine Grahame MSP.

THE rain is battering the window, the leaves in the acer tree are already turning autumnal and deep inside there is the higgledy-piggledy nest of a couple of ubiquitous pigeons.

It’s their second go at parenting, a marauding magpie saw off the first fledglings. Anyway, I hope they’re tethered to the nest as the branches flail about in the wind.

Last nest they built was at the height of Covid and I watched the couple to-ing and fro-ing as I worked at my desk here in the eaves of the cottage.

It takes me back to those dark days and forward now to the picture of my grand-daughter, proud as punch in her fresh school uniform last week.

If anyone was in any doubt how important it was for children to return to school, her smile and those of other children said it all.

It has been hard-won and we will have ups and downs along the way, but it also says a lot for teachers who naturally have concerns about the virus being carried into school with the backpacks.

But when we have these ‘spikes’ – and we will have them – the source is as always, us and our behaviour.

Face coverings have helped, but some folk seem to think that’s it; now it’s OK to move closer, lean over you in the supermarket for that tin of beans, not wipe down the trolley or sanitise the hands. Well it ain’t.

There’s even the odd bod who refuses to wear a face covering, but being basically polite we say nothing, even when we’re pretty sure it’s out of defiance, not necessity.

Some retail outlets have moved the in-shop sanitisers, so you have to hunt them down, others removed the queueing system. Let’s see how that pans out over the winter months.

I’m not saying these arrangements remain necessary, but they signalled that ‘normal’ is not where we are. Symbols: the hand sanitisers, clicking and counting in and out the customers, keep us on our toes.

This dreadful weather bringing with it the usual seasonal ailments: sniffles, sore throats, tummy upsets and annual flu will have many of us worried that we may have the dreaded Covid.

It’s only human, but if we collectively keep the lid on the virus, you know, with the mantra, FACTS: face coverings, avoiding crowded places, cleaning hands and surfaces, two-metre social distancing, socially isolate and book a test, then it just makes life easier until that magic vaccine comes along.

For now, I can visit family, like you, limited to eight indoors from three households (all socially distancing). I am in my own wee bubble with a son and his family.

I am cuddling my grandchildren, nestling in with them to read a story or watch Tangled for the umpteenth time. I am out doing my own shopping and even some days back in Parly and other days working from home.

This is all precious, but some have lost loved ones, businesses that could not recover, and the UK furlough scheme will end and there will be, because of this, more redundancies.

Bad enough, but a resurgence due to our own carelessness would have even more devastating consequences for the vulnerable and the economy, so keep to the FACTS.

Please, let’s collectively see Covid off.

Christine Grame is the SNP MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale

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