With coronavirus on the rise throughout the central belt of Scotland, hospitalisations and ICU admissions also rising and, unfortunately, more deaths than we have experienced for several months, we are, regrettably, under new restrictions in a bid to control the virus again before the winter sets in.
The Government has had to balance breaking the spread of the virus with protecting the economy and, to that end, it has put up a support package for those businesses most affected, particularly hospitality.
Before its announcement last week, the Scottish Government published 14 pages of evidence from scientific and medical advisers which detailed the prevalence of coronavirus in hospitality settings and at family and friend gatherings.
Latest Public Health Scotland data map shows that the rate of Covid-19 cases throughout Rutherglen and Cambuslang, in Burnhill and Bankhead; Spittal; Burnside and Springhall; Fernhill and Cathkin; Whitlawburn and Greenlees; Farme Cross; Eastfield; Westburn and Newton; and Halfway, Hallside and Drumsagard, are, worryingly, far higher than the Scottish average.
It is important to remember that progress has been made and the situation is better than in March.
By driving the virus to very low levels in the summer, we have helped to ensure that the estimated number of cases in Scotland is just 13 per cent of peak level in March.
I doubt there is a single one of us who hasn’t thought about our mental wellbeing, or worried about that of others during 2020.
As Mental Health Minister I last week introduced a new plan to help ensure mental health and wellbeing remains at the heart of the Scottish Government’s response to coronavirus.
Children and young people, those facing redundancy, and people with long-term physical health conditions and disabilities are among key groups on which the plan focuses.
As well as promoting good mental health and wellbeing, the plan prioritises rapid and easily accessible support for those in distress and ensures safe, effective treatment and care of people living with mental illness.
Sticking to the new restrictions, and the new normal we may have to endure until a vaccine is found, isn’t easy after seven long months.
But it is essential. It’s the best way to look out for each other, and now more than ever, we all need that spirit of solidarity that has served us so well.
