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.
Young Lochinvar on The Massive Face Of Truth: “HMcH Don’t really have any desire to get into a running spat again, but shouldn’t you consider that’s exactly where…” Jun 8, 00:25
Young Lochinvar on The Massive Face Of Truth: “Happy anniversary of the battle of Clitheroe, in Lancashire, 1138 tomorrow.. Another pumping dispensed and pretty quickly (and consistently thereafter)…” Jun 8, 00:15
robertkknight on The Massive Face Of Truth: “A “Corrupt Dictatorship” indeed! Was then…is now, and still has the backing of some very powerful individuals in what is…” Jun 7, 23:06
Tenruh on The Massive Face Of Truth: “I made a monthly payment into the referendum fundraiser from March 2017 until February 2021 and assume there would have…” Jun 7, 22:26
Southernbystander on The Interesting Words Round: “‘Police Scotland have been advised that the information provided had already been investigated as part of our inquiries and no…” Jun 7, 21:55
Northcode on In pursuit of clarity: “Nope, I’m not wrong. Let me break it down for you: At C-24: Salvo could attend, but Scotland could not…” Jun 7, 21:40
Hatey McHateface on In pursuit of clarity: “Greatest living half Scot, Dan. Did he kick aff the shit in the ME? I’ve been around over half a…” Jun 7, 21:38
Dan on In pursuit of clarity: “Your wallet is constantly being plundered ya neep heid that was always wanting to be shown the money. Howz the…” Jun 7, 20:45
Aidan on In pursuit of clarity: “Sorry Northcode, you are wrong. Here is a link to the statement given by our very own Alf Baird on…” Jun 7, 20:21
Hatey McHateface on In pursuit of clarity: “I’ll presume to speak for Aidan, Northy. You’re every bit as clever as an alert reader would expect someone self-identifying…” Jun 7, 20:18
Northcode on In pursuit of clarity: “You said at 10:24 am today: “…promoted the Salvo/Liberate fundraiser which also has a case to answer for embezzlement…” And…” Jun 7, 19:53
Dan on The Massive Face Of Truth: “From back when I had an alert reader badge before it blew off my jacket on a run with the…” Jun 7, 19:46
Hatey McHateface on In pursuit of clarity: “Some Scots believe what happened in Scottish care homes during Covid was murder. And yes, “those people” did get away…” Jun 7, 19:38
Hatey McHateface on In pursuit of clarity: ““Throwing such serious allegations about without proof is piss poor behaviour” Where is the best place to get synthetic outrage…” Jun 7, 19:27
Aidan on In pursuit of clarity: “Well done Northcode, that was a spirited attempt at a defence but one that unfortunately doesn’t quite align to the…” Jun 7, 18:57
BigJay on The Massive Face Of Truth: “There was a bit of a kerfuffle back in 2023 regarding a fragrant, former female ‘aide’ to Humza UselessAF who…” Jun 7, 18:51
Northcode on In pursuit of clarity: “I’ve just realised what, I think, you have presented here as ‘evidence’ of Salvo/Liberate embezzlement… and I laugh in the…” Jun 7, 18:18
Dan on In pursuit of clarity: “@AiDan If you’re so sure there has been an act of embezzlement committed, and it bothers you so much; Then…” Jun 7, 17:52
Aidan on In pursuit of clarity: “lol, no it doesn’t. What might persuade someone is explaining how the circumstances I have set out above do not…” Jun 7, 17:26
Northcode on In pursuit of clarity: ““…are you expecting that to persuade anyone?” Yes… I am and it does. You know, you go on fair bit…” Jun 7, 17:04
Andy Wiltshire on The Massive Face Of Truth: “I trust the Rev is working feverishly on pieces about (a) cash for seats, and (b) the involvement of HMRC…” Jun 7, 16:53
Hatey McHateface on In pursuit of clarity: “Careful, Aidan! You’re trampling all over the green cheese with your muckle tackity boots. Green cheese is all some of…” Jun 7, 16:32
Aidan on In pursuit of clarity: ““I’m not going to engage with the facts you’ve laid out and therefore because I’m ignoring the evidence I win…” Jun 7, 16:30
Hatey McHateface on In pursuit of clarity: “New Caledonia, eh? A name to conjure with. Second only to Nova Scotia as a reminder of the Scots’ long,…” Jun 7, 16:20
Northcode on In pursuit of clarity: “Prove Salvo/Liberate are guilty of embezzlement. You can’t because you don’t have any proof. And why don’t you have any…” Jun 7, 16:17
100%Yes on The Massive Face Of Truth: “More SNP dirty secrets, cash for seats, this is just the start.” Jun 7, 16:16
Anne on The Massive Face Of Truth: “The day these corrupt and greedy individuals get their come uppence will be a great day .If only Alex were…” Jun 7, 15:58
Aidan on In pursuit of clarity: “Is it true or not true that the chair of C-24 issued the following statement:no petition … could be accepted…” Jun 7, 15:57
