Tom talks Let’s cheer Scotland on ... safely
BY RENFREWSHIRE
SOUTH MSP TOM ARTHUR
Next week, the country will come together to sing, cheer, cry, shout and hide behind cushions as we cheer on Scotland in our first men’s international football finals since 1998.
After living through one of the most difficult years in living memory, I can only hope that our men’s national team continue to do us proud.
No pressure lads, but I think we could all do with one hell of a party!
After the Euros being postponed due to covid, the fact that we can enjoy the tournament this summer is a testament to the advances and sacrifices that have been made.
Our vaccination programme continues at pace, with over 50 per cent of the adult population in Scotland having received both doses.
Social distancing is still a part of our lives, and people continue to wear masks where required indoors and play their part in looking after others around them by doing so.
Our bars and restaurants are back open and I for one cannot wait to cheer on the squad from a beer garden.
We are still living under restrictions here in Level 2, but more and more our lives are beginning to return to ‘normal’ and we have the opportunity to travel across the country to see friends, family and for tourism.
These opportunities have been hard won.
We have endured some difficult times and under restrictions there are still some businesses unable to operate.
Industries, such as our cultural sector, are still feeling the pressure on limits on numbers and distancing requirements.
For many of us, it is almost back to how it was – but it’s important to remember how we got here, and the fragility of progress through this pandemic.
As we come together with friends and family to enjoy this summer’s football, please bear in mind those who we owe this opportunity to – the frontline NHS workers, the scientists who developed the vaccines, those who have worked tirelessly each day to keep us safe and well.
We owe so much to the hard work and care of others that we cannot let them down by throwing our opportunity away when it comes, or stop progressing to lower levels that will make huge differences to others who are limited by current restrictions.
So cheer on Team Scotland, do it safely, with hope and optimism and let’s hope that Euro 2020 – for Scotland at least – is anything but normal.
We’ll be coming …