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The First Minister tells us she might have “reached a different position” on the opening of pubs if only she had borrowing powers ( your report, 24 September). Does this mean that the scientific evidence and advice points to the closing of pubs but Ms Sturgeon is choosing to ignore it?
If so, is she not duty bound to tell us why she is not following the science and to clarify the basis on which she has reached her current position? Instead she chooses to sidestep the adoption of what would be a ver y unpopular measure and at the same time takes a swipe at the UK government. But, of course, her pronouncements are in no way “political”!
COLIN HAMILTON
Braid Hills Avenue, Edinburgh
Last Saturday I had occasion to drive to Ayr from North Ayrshire to recover a broken down vehicle in the town centre. As I approached Ayr from the north, the traffic gradually increased in density until it slowed to a crawl two miles out and then as I made my way down to the Auld Brig and the High Street, the stationar y traffic was j oined by pavements thronged with pedestrians busying themselves at the stores and hostelries. It was literally like Blackpool on Fair Friday.
Furthermore, I was in the local supermarket in Largs last night and was aghast to see a group of eight unmasked callow youths merrily scooti ng ( yes, on kids scooters) down the aisles. They looked bemused when I challenged t hem about t heir f l agrant disregard of all the scientific advice about virus control never mind their use of wheeled vehivles in a public store.
It is patently obvious that a vast number of the local population are ignoring the advice being meted out at the daily briefings by the Scottish Government. As many of your correspondents have alluded to in the past, the message at these briefings is beginning to sound like the automated “unattended baggage” announcememts heard incessantly when stuck in an airport departure lounge during a delayed flight.
The BBC will no doubt have the data confirming the viewing figures for these broadcasts and I am sure that will have been t he f undamental reason for dropping the “Sturgeon and Leitch Laugh In”: no one watching! Given my experience of last few days I would conclude that the message from these broadcasts is either rbeing ignored or not listened to in the first place.
To get the message accross to the public at large, start with the lowest common denominator! Drum it in to the kids at school about social distancing, hand washing and proper masking up, with local health practitioners doing demonstrations: after all most kids love playing at doctors and nurses. The parents and wider family will soon get on side.
Meigle, Skelmorlie
North Ayrshire