MARY Test, trace and isolate...it’s the only way
BY WEST SCOTLAND MSP MARY FEE
It is sad to read that the death toll of those who tested positive for Covid-19 reached over 2,100 last week.
The figures for the UK were over 34,000, as of
May 15, and worldwide the numbers reached over 310,000.
With no clear end in sight to the crisis, we must continue to follow the official guidance from the Scottish Government to ensure that we keep people safe and protect the NHS.
Official guidance must be clear and concise and follow the best advice from experts.
To reach an end there must be testing, tracing and isolating. That is the only way to lower the lockdown restrictions and bring back some normality to the lives of people here in Renfrewshire and across Scotland.
Over the weekend, it emerged that no contact tracers have been hired in Scotland and this could hamper the ‘test, trace and isolate’ approach.
There are 2,000 posts for contact tracers and over 8,000 applications have been received as three health boards are set to trial the testing and tracing approach.
There are serious questions to answer on this failure as well as the failure to test more.
While there have been slightly different approaches taken between the UK and Scottish governments, there have been many failures going back to January.
Once this crisis is over and a level of normality has returned, questions will rightly be asked and must be answered.
In the meantime, we must adhere to official advice if we want to see the lockdown lifted sooner and safely.
Final year as an MSP
Last year I announced I am retiring and standing down as a Member of the Scottish Parliament at the next Scottish election, which is now less than one year away.
This would mark ten years as MSP for West Scotland and five years previously as a councillor in Renfrewshire between 2007 and 2012.
I am proud to represent my area and I hope that the thousands of constituents I have helped are better off for my help.
My time as MSP has been interesting - through the coalition years, the Scottish independence referendum, the Brexit saga, the snap elections and the rise of nationalism in Scotland and across the United Kingdom.
I am delighted to have brought in new laws on disability access and children’s rights, championed equality rights for LGBT people, ethnic minorities, Gypsys/ Travellers and many more marginalised groups, and given a voice to my community.
In my final year I want to continue advocating for equal rights, for better health and education services and working for constituents.
My office is still available for assistance through these difficult times.
Please don’t hesitate to email mary.fee.msp@ parliament.scot or call 0141 8894828 for support.