The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
When a country’s leader stands up in Parliament and announces that the death toll from a sinister new virus has doubled, the mood is bound to be sombre.
So it was when Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs at First Minister’s Questions that the number of Scottish coronavirus fatalities had risen from three to six overnight.
The public galleries were deserted and empty spaces abounded on the back benches as the first minister delivered yet more unwelcome news confirming the spread of the deadly virus.
“Politics as normal is not operating,” was how Ms Sturgeon put it as she underlined that all resources were focused on tackling the pandemic.
Opposition leaders asked questions aimed to inform rather than wound. Tory leader Jackson Carlaw asked about coronavirus testing for NHS workers, and childcare now that the schools were closing and support for business.
Labour leader Richard Leonard expressed concerns that ambulance staff were not getting the correct protective equipment.
Patrick Harvie of the Greens secured a commitment from the first minister that no one would be evicted if put into rent arrears by the coronavirus.
The first minister signalled her support of a citizens’ income.
But perhaps it was the case raised by Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie of a constituent who was “scared to death” by the unfolding crisis that drew the most memorable response.
The individual was worried that the cancellation of nonurgent operations might mean his life-saving surgery would be denied. Ms Sturgeon asked for the constituent’s details to be passed on to her before reminding MSPs that vital life-saving treatment would go-ahead.
“I don’t want people to be scared,” the first minister said. “But I do want people to understand and realise that this is not a drill. This is real,” she said.
“I have never had to stand up in the chamber of this Parliament and say something so bluntly before. My job right now – and it is not me that’s doing it, I am leading an effort that is enabling everybody else to do it – but it is just about saving lives.”