Many, many questions but there are no easy answers

It’s almost a month since Scotland went into lockdown and, of course, people are asking a lot of questions.

Why are our numbers different to those of other countries? When will it all end? What does the future look like for me and my family?

I hear varied opinions – some say we didn’t take action fast enough, others think we should just let everybody get on as normal.

These decisions are not straightforward. Not remotely.

Every country has a different demographic and health system. It’s really difficult to ask an entire country to do something, because of the enormous variation in how people live.

Scotland’s rural and island communities make it somewhat easier to be socially distanced, but more challenging to get high-level healthcare to that population.

Some of our communities have long-term social inequality, particularly in our larger cities.

Some folks are on the 37th floor of a high-rise with no one to deliver their shopping.

Covid-19 has a devastating effect on communities, and those with greater social deprivation can suffer potentially worse outcomes.

We are experiencing three different harms from this pandemic – the harm from coronavirus, the harm from the measures we are taking to prevent the NHS being potentially overwhelmed, and the harm from countermeasures such as the lockdown.

These countermeasures will disproportionately affect people who are more vulnerable with issues such as loneliness and lack of support. We are acutely aware of that.

Which is one of the reasons we set up a new national helpline – 0800 111 4000 – to help people access essential local services such as food and medication, social work services and emotional support.

As of 2pm yesterday, 7,820 people of the 38,233 tested for coronavirus in Scotland were positive.

It’s too early to consider an exit strategy just yet. We are all learning as we go. But the World Health Organisation has published some excellent advice for countries on doing things gradually. We are taking account of this.

‘ We have set up a national helpline – 0800 111 4000