OPINION Johnson call for calm may be a gamble

Scotland is not a country prone to hysteria at times of crisis.

However, rising panic over the horrifying spread of coronavirus is now not only palpable but unfortunately entirely rational.

People are terrified the bug that has left more than 1400 dead in Italy is going to rampage indiscr iminately through their loved ones while wreaking untold economic havoc.

A heartbreakingly high death toll appears to be an inevitability rather than a worst-case scenario. Last night, 21 lives had been claimed already across the UK and it will be the weakest in society who suffer the most.

Professor Calum Semple – an expert in outbreak medicine and a Government adviser – has told this newspaper we are nowhere near the peak of this crisis, and that things are going to get a lot worse before they get better.

He has made the grim prediction that even if we used all of our operating theatres and hospital beds, there will be nowhere near enough capacity in the NHS to care for the number of victims in coming weeks.

When you consider there are only about 58 ful ly quipped intensive care beds available in Scotland as things stand, that is not difficult to believe.

The picture is grim but events are not entirely out of our control and the decisions our governments take in attempting to contain Covid-19 will be crucial.

That is why it is alarming that there appears to be a significant difference in the approach the UK Government is taking compared to many of our European neighbours.

While others have closed schools and placed society in lockdown, Boris Johnson has insisted “draconian” measures will only make a marginal difference and effectively advised us to keep calm and carry on.

Only time will tell who has called this correctly but saving lives needs to be the priority, and governments deserve to be judged on their actions. Forbes is a force for good in parly Kate Forbes was thrown in at the deep end when she became Scotland’s youngest Finance Secretary, aged 29, the day before having to deliver a budget speech.

She took that challenge in her stride and has proven herself a force for positive change by calling out internet trolls and demanding family-friendly Holyrood reforms.

Forbes is the most senior member of the Government to speak out af ter this newspaper highlighted issues that are creating barriers to more women in politics and a more representative Parliament.

The standards, procedures and public appointments committee is also considering proxy voting to help mums.

Let’s hope the most powerful woman in Scottish politics, Nicola Sturgeon, is also on board.