Progress is on the horizon

There’s a new way of working at the moment – no more face-to-face meetings, dropping for a quick chat over an issue with colleagues, or day-to-day banter in the constituency office.

We are now in the realms of virtual meetings and conferences; even our Parliament is semi-virtual. Needs must, but I must admit I really don’t like it. I guess I’m old fashioned – I like to be with people.

Having said all that, I’m fortunate my job is such that these adaptations can be made.

Not so for our health and care staff, or many other workers keeping the country running, all interacting with others on a daily basis and bringing a degree of normality to our lives.

Frustration is setting in for so many just now, hoping for a lifting of some of the restrictions we’ve been under for weeks. Shielding must be really difficult and so many are missing family and friends.

I know consideration of all aspects of this is being given by our First Minister, just as I know that caution is always the watchword and the priority is about our collective safety.

It will be a while before we get back to what we think of as‘normal’, and the talk of a‘new normal’ is a price worth paying to save lives.

Working towards that of course is the move to a new phase of battling this horrible virus – Test, Trace, Isolate and Support – TTIS.

This will be used to keep transmission in communities low as Scotland moves out of lockdown.

Over 600 additional staff from the NHS are ready to begin this work as part of the process of recruiting up to 2000 staff.

Public health teams will identify outbreaks and reduce transmission in high risk groups and break the chain of transmission of the virus.

We still have to follow physical distancing advice though and practice good hand and cough hygiene.

NHS Lanarkshire is one of the three NHS health boards to pilot the new software which makes it easier for staff to collect and record information.

The pilot began this week and will last for a fortnight to test out the technology before it gets extended across Scotland.

This is not all brand new – tracing and testing has been carried out by our Public Health teams all over the country for many years; sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis, meningitis, are just some examples.

Epidemiologists

There is a move towards lifting the restrictions...

interrupt these chains of transmission by identifying people through contact testing before they spread the infection to others.

Testing for COVID-19 is a much bigger undertaking of course, that’s why in addition to the NHS staff already on board, others are being recruited, given preemployment checks and trained up.

There are movements towards the lifting of restrictions, with South Lanarkshire Council this week announcing a range of operations will be reintroduced - all of this of course with a recognition of changed working practices due to ongoing physical distancing requirements and with the agreement of the appropriateTrades’ Unions.

Progress is being made, but meanwhile, I must admit I am looking forward to being able to open the constituency office again, to have residents drop-in for a chat, and to be working as a real rather than a virtual one.

South Lanarkshire’s events calendar has been wiped out until at least August because of coronavirus.

Strathaven Balloon Festival, Summerfest in Cambuslang, Lesmahagow Highland Games, Lanimers in Lanark and gala days in Strathaven, Glassford, Stonehouse, Carnwath, Coalburn, Douglas, all won’t go ahead in 2020.

Since the UK-wide lockdown began on March 23, the council and South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture have had to cancel more than 50 events, with just three postponed until later in the year.

South Lanarkshire Disability Sports Awards, Hamilton Sports Performers Awards, citizenship ceremonies and the Provost’s Awards are also among the range of events that have already been called off.

A number of events still due to take place from

August remain in doubt due to the pandemic, including the annual fireworks displays in November and Christmas lights switch-ons in December.

The region’s libraries have also been hard hit with comedy nights, author visits, book launches and historical events all cancelled.

The EK Rolls Royce AFC annual festival at Brancumhall has been moved from June 6 to August 9, whilst the EK Caledonian Thistle Festival – due to take place at the Ballerup Hall – also affected.

The Aquathon due to take place at James Hamilton Heritage Park in East Kilbride in June has been cancelled, as has EK Pirates American Football Festival, Lanarkshire secondary schools football competition, the Reamonn Gormley tournament, the LG festival and the launch of the

Brian Laudrup Foundation which had all been due to take place at Hamilton Park Sports Grounds.

Events organised by the Scottish Border Collie Club as well as the Scottish Welsh Pony Club Show and Glennifer Dog Show were due to take place at Lanark Race Course before falling victim to the pandemic.

Clyde Valley GSD Dog Show, due to take place at Monteith this weekend (May 16) won’t go ahead and other events at Brancumhall including the UK Ultimate Mixed Tier 2 Frisbee and the EK DTC Champion Show are also cancelled.

A spokesman for the council confirmed all the events had been cancelled in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

They also confirmed that Provost Ian McAllan has had to call off a number of engagements.