I am thankful to all the NHS workers
It’s good to be back writing a monthly column for the Ayrshire Post, but I should probably begin with an explanation, for anyone who doesn’t already know, of why I’ve been absent from these pages for the last few months.
Last year I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It’s one of these things you always know is possible, but can never really be fully prepared for.
Six months of intensive chemotherapy later, I now have particular personal cause to be grateful for our NHS and to everyone in the caring professions.
A big thank you too to my staff and the many constituents and my wife and family, whose support made such a difference.
After concluding my chemotherapy, I returned to work last month and, just like everyone else in the country, much of my world has turned upside down. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, face to face meetings with constituents are not currently possible. Community events I would have attended are sadly cancelled or postponed.
Schools fetes are off, along with any other usual type of constituent interaction.
Everything has to be done remotely by telephone or email. Until two months ago, I’d never heard of Zoom. Now it’s an indispensable part of my working week.
The events through which we are living are unsettling and have all too often been tragic, but there is another, more positive side. More people are volunteering in their communities, people are helping more to look after vulnerable neighbours by shopping or just checking up on them to make sure they are all right, and many of us have a renewed appreciation our natural environment.
Social distancing may have kept us apart from our friends, family and wider community, but in many ways we have been brought closer together.
The pandemic will end, but let’s all resolve that - when it does - we hold to that renewed sense of community.
Although I am not able to hold face to face meetings at present, I can be contacted on 01292 286251 or at: john.scott.msp@parliament.scot