We’re starting to turn tide in Covid battle
Despite the recent snow and ice hopefully we’re beginning to turn the corner on the winter weather. And also beginning to turn the tide in the struggle against Covid-19.
The numbers of those vaccinated against Covid-19 are rising very significantly as mass vaccination centres and GP practices across the Scotland play their part to the full. There is simply an extraordinary effort being made by our healthcare professionals, armed forces and volunteers to get this jag into as many peoples arms as possible.
I was very fortunate to receive my own first vaccine jab on Valentine’s Day. By this same day more than 1.2 million people in Scotland had also received their first jab. And incredibly over the seven days to February 10 in Scotland, we had vaccinated more people per 100 than anywhere else in Europe.
The Scottish Government has diligently followed the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, targeting high-risk groups and the most vulnerable first. In a pandemic we’re only as safe as our neighbours, so it is comforting that all parts of these islands are making very good progress. We all owe an immense debt of gratitude to all involved in the research, logistics and delivery of these vaccines, the speedy development of which has been nothing short of scientific genius. It is also vital that as vaccine supply increases that people around the world are able to be vaccinated as early as humanly possible.
Whilst the pandemic is far from over, careful consideration must be given to Scotland’s recovery from Covid-19 and energy placed into initiatives that will support and strengthen recovery once this virus has been firmly tackled.
That’s why I was impressed by the recent 2021-2022 Scottish Budget announced by Scottish Finance Secretary Kate Forbes. It’s a budget with ambition that aims to tackle some of the great challenges facing Scotland today.
For example, health funding is set to rise to more than £16 billion - £2.7 billion will be pumped into education and skills development. £145.3 million will be invested in drugs and alcohol support, with an increase of £50 million specifically aimed at reducing drugs-related deaths. This focus is part of a five-year, £250 million commitment on improved services for people affected by drug addiction. £1.9 billion will be directed to tackling climate change, supporting the green job creation we’ll desperately need to help transition Scotland to a net-zero society.
The pandemic has held a mirror to all of Scotland, warts and all. It’s revealed a new-found community spirit, some thought lost in too many places. It’s unleashed a collective spirit and a national mission like no other. However, it will undoubtably create greater inequality and economic insecurity for many and this needs to be tackled early.
Climate change, socioeconomic inequality, the mental health crisis - all of these issues will require a societal response on the scale we’ve seen with the pandemic. We’ll need courageous policymakers, and an engaged public to hold them to account.
I’m not immune in this age of change and transition. In just under six weeks I’ll hang up my boots for the last time as your MSP when Holyrood goes into recess for Scotland’s General Election.
But I’m very confident that for hard work, courage and gritty determination to stand up for local people, Stirling’s electors will have to look no further than the SNP candidate for Holyrood 2021, Councillor EvelynTweed.
There are some weeks to go before polling day, but I urge Stirling residents to sign up for a postal vote if they haven’t already done so - better safe than sorry.
I was very fortunate to receive my first vaccine jab