Kill Christmas?

A joint editorial published by two leading medical journals has called the decision to ease coronavirus restrictions at Christmas, agreed to by the Scottish Government, a “major error that will cost many lives”.

The Scottish Government have always said “just because you can, you don’t have to” and would rather we stayed in own homes.

Angela Gourlay

Just say “don't" full stop, then… as we have constantly seen, people can't help taking a mile when given an inch.

Callum Macleod

Schools in Perth and Kinross should close on Friday. Where is the sense in opening them up when [Nicola Sturgeon] has told us to ease on social gatherings? How can teachers/ teaching staff, catering staff, cleaners uphold this? Ridiculous.

Our Page Wemyss

Tinkering around the edges trying to please everyone hasn’t worked and the damage is done.

John Milne

A factor that is not highlighted is the flawed PCR test that can't detect infections and yet is used as a basis for people to isolate. This then has a knock-on effect where those around them need to self isolate. The NHS is always busy at winter time but if you have less staff due to isolations then this doesn't help matters.

Paul Finnon

If she loves Scotland as much as she says she should scrap the five days relaxing restrictions for us and keep Scotland In our own wee bubble, and the rest of the UK can do what they want.

Gus Robertson

Going to be a tough call, but ultimately it must be the right one.

James Thomas Kilpatrick I just laugh at it all now. It's so farcical. I don't see how anybody can take it seriously anymore.

Wilson Galloway I don’t think you actually need to be an academic to work out just what the consequences of the Christmas plan are going to be!

Margaret Sherriffs It was a mad decision, at the most it should have been two days. Now, in the circumstances, it should be cancelled.

Nancy Skelton

I think just Christmas Day and only with our bubble.

Margaret Beattie

Does she actually think people will adhere to it?

Iain Pettigrew

Well, if you don't follow guidelines then don't moan in January when death rates go up and we're back in full lockdown. No one to blame but yourselves.

Lorraine Sharon P Kelly The problem is that Sturgeon has lost control, maybe by over exposure and grandstanding. I travel the Central Belt daily in and out of many towns and villages. The majority are not following the rules, in fact, many don't know or care what tier they are in.

Rob Allen She would have lost control no matter what she did . Why? People are selfish

Nat Theresa

I agree with Lorraine. The rules are clear. The root of the problem is that we have a pandemic of Stupid.

John Hood

Drugs deaths

The number of drugrelated deaths in Scotland increased again in 2019 to the highest number since records began.

When I was a lad it was all sherbet dabs & Skoal Bandits. The worst you would get was a large dentist bill or mouth cancer. Nowadays with the New World Order and globalisation there are all sorts of fancy foreign substances available to the populace.

Roger Booth

Sturgeon’s Scotland

– no work but we want independence although we will be a Third World land of drugs and Buckfast.

Sidny Cluckie

The SNP have tried to open safe usage rooms on multiple occasions to provide support and a safe area. This has been blocked on multiple occasions by the UK government who also refuse to devolve drug strategy to other nations. Yes, Scotland has the highest death rate, but that's not the whole story.

Craig Hollywood With a 50 per cent cut to drug services by the Scottish Government this was sadly expected. The Scottish Government need to start making real decisions! All the “freebies” have to come from cuts elsewhere and here’s the result.

Gordon Rae Drug use is a healthcare issue, and shouldn't be a criminal one.

Gilly Jilly If only Scotland had control of its own affairs. The UK government is letting these poor people suffer and it’s just not right. It’s time the Scottish Government took control of our own business.

Martin Kerr