Covid: We're all sick and tired of it – Scotsman comment

In a country almost split down the middle by the contentious issue of independence, SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon is not everyone’s cup of tea. But when she said she was “sick and tired” of Covid, she surely spoke for every single one of us.

Nicola Sturgeon spoke for the nation when she said she was 'sick and tired' of the coronavirus outbreak (Picture: Scottish Government/Flickr)

While warning that Scotland was facing a “sharply rising rate of infection again”, the First Minister yesterday said that her Government was not considering a so-called “circuit breaker” lockdown on a similar scale as the one imposed in March.

Many will breathe a sigh of relief, while others will worry that this deadly disease is returning.

Striking the right balance between controlling the virus, helping the economy and personal freedom is clearly an extremely difficult task, but a significant factor that all leaders need to take into account is public acceptance of any new restrictions.

The lockdown imposed in March was complied with by the vast majority of people, but similar measures imposed today may not be met with such widespread support.

However, as the First Minister noted, the Test and Protect system and the free app to alert people if they have been close to someone who has tested positive had not been set up at the beginning of the pandemic but are available now.

This is an alternative way to the privations of the lockdown of controlling the spread of the virus and it can be a highly effective one.

But, it needs public co-operation to work. Just as we did our bit in the lockdown, for the sake of lives and livelihoods we should download the app if we can and take warnings to self-isolate seriously.

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