On the 1st of January, Chinese authorities took the decision to close the Wuhan food market. The following day, 41 admitted hospital patients in Wuhan, were confirmed to have contracted 2019-nCoV (novel coronavirus) which we now know as COVID-19.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued a New Year message, from the private island of Mustique in the Caribbean, that the “first item” on his agenda remained his commitment to take Britain out of the EU by the end of January.
Within weeks the virus had spread across the world to many countries including Italy, Germany, Australia, the USA and of course the UK.
It’s pretty interesting that today marks the first really tangible diversification between the Scottish and UK governments with regard to the coronavirus crisis: the Holyrood administration has rejected Westminster’s much-criticised new main slogan and will be sticking with the old “STAY HOME” message.
(Here at Wings we’re mainly upset that the extremely misguided new campaign will undermine our years-old pro-alertness position.)
Because what our latest Panelbase poll showed is that there’s a huge gulf between perception and reality in Scotland when it comes to virus strategy.
Yeah, we know we said we weren’t going to say anything else about the COVID-19 crisis, but sometimes there’s just too much stupid going around to stay silent.
A disturbing number of people appear to have interpreted the undoubted seriousness of the pandemic to mean that nobody is ever allowed to be even slightly happy for the briefest of moments until it’s all over.
As a result, while half the country is full of people just trying to cope as best they can while acting sensibly and responsibly within both the letter and spirit of the emergency restrictions, the other half has elected itself officers of the Lockdown Gestapo, pointing fingers and shrieking at anyone deemed not to be miserable enough.
This article is the only thing Wings is going to say about the COVID-19 crisis, because (a) we’re on holiday, (b) it has very little to do with Scottish politics, and (c) we’re not virologists and have no expertise to offer.
But in so far as we have some sort of reach and to some extent people listen to us, and we don’t want any of you to die, here’s a small plea for all our sakes.
As we write this, in between bouts of weeping with exhausted misery, frustration and rage, Her Majesty’s Opposition’s interminable will-they-won’t-they game of attempting – maybe, one day, perhaps – to bring down the government and force a new election leading to a new EU referendum continues.
And as the SNP in particular devotes huge amounts of energy to trying to stop Brexit, against the wishes of its own voters, we wondered how the public not just in Scotland but in the two constituent nations of the UK that voted Leave felt about that.
Cynicus on These Words Are My Own: ““ Get me Beltrami” was the fabled injunction to the polis on arresting a crook of VERY high standing. He…” Jul 18, 11:51
Captain Caveman on These Words Are My Own: “You have the heart of a lion, Rev Stu. Cap doffed. Again.” Jul 18, 11:51
crazycat on These Words Are My Own: “I’ve seen it suggested – can’t remember where – that these items were removed because he “bought them with his…” Jul 18, 11:44
Alf Baird on These Words Are My Own: ““exposing the utter corruption of the Scottish state” There is no such entity as a ‘Scottish state’, yet, unless I…” Jul 18, 11:38
Hatey McHateface on These Words Are My Own: “Putting to one side all of Northy’s “look at me” bloviating … Both protagonists (Salmond and Sturgeon) are out of…” Jul 18, 10:21
BH on These Words Are My Own: “The long days in prison will fly by for Nicola as she won’t recall them.” Jul 18, 10:19
Kate L on These Words Are My Own: “Thank god for obstinate men like you Stu. Decency lives.” Jul 18, 10:08
Xaracen on A Matter Of Declinature: “I repeat, Aidan, it doesn’t matter how abstruse the legal arguments get, your arguments are irrelevant because the Union wasn’t…” Jul 18, 10:06
diabloandco on These Words Are My Own: “They used to say that about Beltrami.” Jul 18, 09:56
Dan on These Words Are My Own: “Indeed, it does all seem like a bit of theatre with certain scenes being scheduled and performed for the masses.…” Jul 18, 09:51
100%Yes on These Words Are My Own: “The WoMAN is a liar and a coward, she won’t. Your money safe better invest in NS&I.” Jul 18, 09:36
Patsy Millar on These Words Are My Own: “If she does take the bait and opts for a court case I’ll be happy to contribute to any crowdfunding…” Jul 18, 09:20
Northcode on These Words Are My Own: “Why this, why now – were my immediate thoughts on hearing Davis’s speech. The speech looked like it was about…” Jul 18, 09:08
100%Yes on These Words Are My Own: “She won’t challenge you in the courts she’d have to use her own money.” Jul 18, 09:04
Hatey McHateface on These Words Are My Own: “You’re onto something there, Jay. Keep going until you’ve uncovered evidence for extra-terrestrial interference and then wind back a little.…” Jul 18, 08:45
Hatey McHateface on These Words Are My Own: ““Since everyone is getting the boot into Cranky” Let me just correct you there, Mark. “Since everyone here is getting…” Jul 18, 08:36
Mike on These Words Are My Own: “Perhaps above all, it’s her sheer hypocrisy and sanctimonious nature that makes her so loathsome. Waxing about being kind, progressive…” Jul 18, 08:33
Hatey McHateface on These Words Are My Own: “Not wanting to rain on your parade, Jay (well maybe just a wee shower), but you’ve already noted one of…” Jul 18, 08:28
Mark Beggan on These Words Are My Own: “Blaming MI5 for sturgeons crimes against the Scottish people is as ridiculous and wishful thinking as the money spent on…” Jul 18, 08:17
Slim Jim on These Words Are My Own: “Thank you for everything you’ve done here Rev. I know who I believe…and it ain’t Nick-ola.” Jul 18, 08:17
Nicky T Naquetti on These Words Are My Own: “You, Sir, are the champion that Scotland needs right now. Thank you for your valiant and tenacious pusuit of the…” Jul 18, 08:14
ScottieDog on These Words Are My Own: “Taking on a brit state asset. All da best” Jul 18, 08:06
Mike D on These Words Are My Own: “Dubai? America? I’m sure m15 will pave the way.” Jul 18, 08:01
prj on These Words Are My Own: “in 2017 Alex Salmond was putting a bid in to purchase the Scotsman Newspaper it was at this time the…” Jul 18, 07:56
Hatey McHateface on A Matter Of Declinature: ““she sank trying to run aground” Man Auld Lochnagar! Please tell us you never tried to join the RN.” Jul 18, 07:52
Jay on These Words Are My Own: “Does anyone know how and why the time allowed to David Davis MP was reduced to 4 minutes? It was…” Jul 18, 07:52
Mike D on These Words Are My Own: “Dubai? America? I’m sure m15 will pave the way.” Jul 18, 07:43
Al Dente on These Words Are My Own: “If you need Anwar as your lawyer, you’re guilty as hell.” Jul 18, 07:12
Effijy on These Words Are My Own: “The other question that I’m scratching my head about is why. Sturgeon is First Minister of her country. The job…” Jul 18, 07:10
