There’s no doubt about it, moving to a tougher lockdown is a bitter blow.
A huge swathe of Scotland is about to see shops shut, hospitality closed and travel restricted.
For many this will feel like a step backwards to the tough days of spring with the pandemic in full flow.
But we have to accept coronavirus is still with us and we cannot afford to let it take hold in a way that leads to even worse restrictions.
If the new measures go to plan, there is the prospect of better times around Christmas and New Year.
Of course, it can be hard to see past next week, never mind next month.
There is no doubt the demands of Level 4 will greatly affect some people’s mental and physical health.
So it is important we are there for each other, even if it can only be at the other end of a phone.
But there is also hope. It looks like a vaccine could be with us soon.
Other areas still have some hint of normality, and in rural parts the restrictions remain lighter.
There is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, even if it can be hard to see right now.
Disastrous PM
The Scottish Parliament has not been a “disaster” for the country, it’s been a disaster for Boris Johnson.
At every turn, a devolved Holyrood has helped to mark every wrong move he’s made.
It’s given Scotland the ability to shape distinct ideas into practice.
It’s not perfect, far from it.
But what’s the alternative? A return to direct rule from Johnson, Gove and Rees-Mogg? Forget it.
Scottish Tories will be fuming, of course, even those who opposed devolution in the first place.
They’ve got the task of asking the public to put them in charge of a parliament the UK party doesn’t appear to want.
It was said devolution would see off nationalism, and with that, Scottish independence.
It looks more like Johnson is hell bent on another U-turn.
