Heartening to see most rise to challenge of virus crisis

The coronavirus pandemic has touched every aspect of our lives in a way that it would have been hard to contemplate even a few short months ago. Since then, for most of us, life at home has become the new normal.

Just before the lockdown kicked in I was self-isolating at home in Deanston after a member of my family displayed some symptoms of the virus. That time made me re-evaluate a lot of things, but it meant that when the lockdown came into effect I’d already become used to working with my team and colleagues remotely.

But not everyone can stay at home. People continue to work in hospitals, supermarkets and other vital services. We make the sacrifice of staying at home to protect ourselves but also to make the lives of key workers that little bit easier.

Outside those employed on the front lines it has been heartening to see others in Stirling rise to the challenge. Organisations like The Kitchen at 44 King Street, based at Made in Stirling, have distributed thousands of kilos of food since the start of the crisis and countless other charities and community groups are stepping up.

Sadly, not everyone has approached the crisis with the same community mindedness. Waitrose in Stirling initially insisted on an unfair and exploitative leave policy for staff affected by coronavirus, particularly galling given how hard supermarket staff are having to work. I wrote to the supermarket and put the concerns of their employees directly to the bosses and fortunately this decision has now been reversed.

I’ve also had several reports of people in rural areas struggling to access online deliveries from supermarkets. I’ve been engaging with retailers and asking them to ensure the most vulnerable are given priority.

I welcome the Scottish Government’s helpline, which is designed to ensure vulnerable people who don’t have family or friends able to support them can continue to access food and medicine. You can reach this line on 0800 111 4000.

In the last week I’ve also launched a survey to identify hotspots of short-term let activity in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. At the onset of the crisis irresponsible operators encouraged people to flock to their properties, leading to places like Callander and Aberfoyle struggling to cope with the influx. The unchecked rise of shortterms lets risks turning communities into resorts and we can’t continue in the same manner when the lockdown is over. If you’d like to respond to the survey visit homesfirst.scot/ lochlomond.

Things will, eventually, get back to something that resembles normality but there can be no doubt that there is still a significantly long and difficult road ahead of us. The Government needs to significantly step up testing and have a clear, safe, plan for the transition out of lockdown. But, in the meantime, I’ll be doing everything I can to support you. In situations where I can’t help directly I will be able to point you towards an organisation that will be able to help. Please do not hesitate to get in touch via mark.ruskell.msp@ parliament.scot.

Still a long and difficult road ahead of us