Most Scots have followed the government’s advice and common sense and taken the Covid vaccines and boosters in their stride.
The jabs massively reduce the risk of infection and the severity of the virus.
That in turn prevents a lot of people passing Covid on to the more vulnerable and elderly in our communities.
Getting jabbed saves lives, it is as simple as that.
Despite that proven message, there are still people who are reluctant to get the Covid vaccine.
Specific figures are not yet available for Scotland but news from elsewhere in the UK suggests that the overwhelming majority of those hospitalised because of Covid have not been vaccinated.
It goes without saying, this puts a massive, unnecessary strain on the NHS and with all the consequences that has for wider society.
It is right then that the First Minister should insist on a longer self-isolation period for those who decide to put themselves and others at risk.
There are some people who for medical reasons cannot be vaccinated, but they are small in number.
There are simply too many who arrogantly believe the rules do not apply to them.
And as they expose others to risk, that mindset is proved to be not just self-centred but selfish.
The message to anyone who hasn’t yet done so is get vaccinated to protect yourself and everyone else.
A fighting chance
Addiction doesn’t just affect addicts.
Many people battling substance abuse understand their personal struggle also takes its toll on friends and family as well.
But it can also harm children at the start of their lives.
Shocking figures published today show at least 852 babies have been born addicted since April 2017 in Scotland.
They are the sons and daughters of mothers who have continued fighting addiction while pregnant.
The Record has long campaigned for drug dependency to be treated as a health issue rather than a criminal one.
This is another example of why the health boards and politicians must invest more in specialised treatment centres.
Experts warn that some pregnant mothers with addiction issues are too scared to seek help.
Health services need to find a way to reach women in these circumstances as lives could depend upon it.
No baby deserves to enter the world already fighting addiction.
