We do what’s best for Scotland

PROFESSOR JASON LEITCH

BY

Scotland’s National Clinical Director, WE ARE living in unprecedented times. People are experiencing a level of anxiety and wondering about the challenges brought upon us by coronavirus (Covid-19).

And with things changing so rapidly this week with all of my colleagues at the Scottish Government, I understand that people will question what we’re doing and why.

So let me explain just what happened.

The evidence showed the trajectory this virus was taking, particularly in London, meant we had to move to a new phase quickly – taking steps to suppress the spread.

We’re further along the curve of cases than was previously thought and it became crucial to take new measures. But we knew these measures were a possibility.

The numbers we have so far from around the world are, fortunately, telling us children are not getting seriously ill. They are being infected with the virus but the majority are not getting symptoms.

Other countries have chosen to close schools for a short period. That is something we are reviewing on a daily basis, with the help of expert scientific advisers.

If that’s a step to be taken, then we recognise that it will bring the practical challenge that children still need to be looked after. We can’t just send them all home from their schools and let them fend for themselves.

We’ve got the virus. It isn’t going away. We have to manage things in a way that the vulnerable are protected and the health service will cope.

The best way is to reduce its peak and not have another peak in three months.

We’re trying to make the peak smaller and last over a longer period so our NHS can cope while we protect those who are most at risk. Bluntly, if the peak is shorter and sharper, our NHS will be overwhelmed and more lives will be lost.

We’re doing what’s right for the country. We need everyone’s help to do this. It’s what’s best for the whole country.