Mark Ruskell (Green) Mid Scotland & Fife

Difficult year

Mark Ruskell MSP

Lots of us will be glad to see this strange and difficult year end but, as we look to the future, there are many reasons to be optimistic.

The roll-out of a vaccine has already begun and will continue into next year.

Undoubtedly our celebrations this Christmas and Hogmanay will be more muted than they might usually be, but the chance to celebrate properly next year is the reward for sticking to the public health guidance.

Many of the people who have helped us get through this year will find their break this Christmas extremely brief, if they’re lucky enough to get a break at all.

Shop workers, teachers, nurses, care home staff, hospital cleaners and more have put their own health at risk to support us through 2020.

All of them deserve our heartfelt thanks. Not just in the form of gestures from governments, but through meaningful efforts to protect the rights of key workers and ensure they all receive at least a real living wage.

This has certainly been one of the most difficult years that many of us will remember.

But while the pandemic placed a heavy burden on us it also brought out the best in people.

There was a pervasive sense of community spirit born out of a determination to support each other through this dark time.

When we look back on 2020 let’s keep those positive memories and acts of kindness to the front of our thoughts.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.