It’s been a busy six months politically

It seems like a lifetime ago that the main topic of discussion – in the press, on television, on social media, and in day-to-day conversation, was Brexit.

Concern about so many aspects of leaving the European Union, and the lack of clarity from the UK Government about the transition period.

Real concern about what agreement would be reached on behalf of EU nationals who have made their homes and lives in Scotland, and the potential shortage of staff in our Health and Care Services.

Worry about whether we would face a‘hard Brexit’with no idea about what was ahead.

And then four months ago coronavirus took over the news; of course it did.

Lockdown’s been hard. There’s been almost three weeks since the last major announcement from the First Minister about easing of lockdown restrictions, with another one due thisThursday.

Even after that first easing many people are feeling frustration that some are behaving selfishly with not enough thought for others.

I hope people will remain sensible so that we don’t end up having to reverse back into lockdown.

I hear too from MSP colleagues who represent Scotland’s beauty spots and tourist areas about day-trippers and holiday-home owners turning up.

This worries and annoys local people who are doing their very best to make sure that COVID-19 is contained.

I guess the bad behaviour of the UK Prime Minister’s adviser didn’t help with that, nor indeed the Prime Minister’s response and the mixed messages and confusion coming from Westminster. You might not always agree with Nicola Sturgeon, but she is straightforward.

Our own First Minister is clear in her message – stay at home to save lives, practice good hand hygiene and physical distancing.

Our Parliament in Edinburgh continues to sit on a‘hybrid’basis, practicing physical distancing. Some of us are present and others tune in remotely to take part in committees, in debates and to hold the Scottish Government to account at regular question sessions.

The Consumer Scotland Act 2020 was passed recently to focus on issues that particularly affect people in Scotland.

The Children Scotland Bill, all about the best interests of children and young people when decisions are made that affect them, is nearing completion.

And this week, and coming weeks, sees plenty more coming.

The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill is wending its way through the Parliament’s Justice Committee.

This follows an independent review of current hate crime laws to make sure that those covered by the law are protected in a way fit for the 21st century.

The legislation I refer to of course is within Scotland’s remit.

Unfortunately Brexit is not. We are barely six months away from that ‘hard Brexit’, still with concerns about EU Nationals, about joint arrangements with the EU on many aspects of our lives, about the reckless approach to trade talks with a US President and Administration which can hardly be called stable!

Time to call a halt

Prime Minister.

Listen to the First Ministers of both Scotland and Wales – ask the European Union to agree an extension to the Brexit transition period.

Concentrate on getting us through this current crisis rather than playing political games with all our futures.

It’s the only responsible plan of action.

NICOLA FINDLAY

East Kilbride MSP Linda Fabiani has reassured residents that measures are in place by the NHS to protect against contact tracer scammers.

Scotland’s approach to implementing the ‘test, trace, isolate, support’strategy, Test and Protect, is now live across the country.

Lanarkshire was one of the health boards that trialled the system.

The new system will gradually change the restrictions that help to suppress COVID-19 so society can adapt to a new normal.

When contacting individuals who have tested positive, contact tracers will ask people to identify others who they’ve been in close contact with and places they’ve been 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms up until the time they’ve self-isolated.

This information will then be inputted into contact tracing software and used to identify and contact those identified.

The positive individual will not be named by the contact tracer in line with patient confidentiality, unless they agree to have their details disclosed to help the contact tracing process.

Importantly, contact tracers will not ask anyone for information about bank accounts or medical records, and they will not try to sell you anything. The data gathered will be stored securely by NHS Scotland and safely destroyed as soon as possible after the pandemic concludes.

Ms Fabiani said:“I understand that people may be worried about the risks of potential phone scams, but the NHS already has a number of protections in place to stop potential fraudsters and ensure all information is kept confidential.

“Constituents should be assured that contact tracers will introduce themselves, state the reason for their call, and will always identify who they are calling by name.

“The tracers will be supported by software which builds on a tried and trusted platform, allowing teams to identify outbreaks and reduce transmission for high risk groups here in East Kilbride.

“Trace and Protect is one way we will tackle this pandemic, but physical distancing and good hand hygiene continues to play a huge role as minimise the spread of infection.”

If you experience any one of the symptoms - a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – you must immediately self-isolate for a minimum of seven days.

Additionally, those who start showing symptoms should go to www.nhsinform. scot or call 0800 028 2816 to arrange to get tested.