The Covid-19 Crisis and an Incompetent Scottish Government: What Nicola Sturgeon Hopes You’ll Forget Before the Next Election
Harry Grieve | 29th July 2021
Like many governments across the globe, the Scottish government was no different in its lack of preparation to handle the Covid-19 crisis. However, some failures of this government go beyond a lack of preparation and into the territory of incompetence. Most notably, between March and May 2020, dozens of hospital patients who had tested positive for Covid-19 were discharged into Scottish care homes. Public Health Scotland also reported that alongside positive cases, thousands of untested patients were also discharged into the homes. Thus, it is unsurprising to find Monica Lennon MSP label this evidence as the Scottish government’s ‘Russian roulette strategy’. While this strategy was introduced in the early stages of the pandemic, it was known to both the Scottish government and the public that this disease affects the oldest in our society the most.
During a public health crisis, it would be reassuring to know that Scotland was in safe hands under an experienced Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care. Unfortunately for the Scottish public, prior to the recent reshuffle, this position was held by Jeane Freeman MSP. When questioned about the governments ‘Russian roulette strategy’, Jeane Freeman admitted that this mistake was a reckless one, and that the Scottish government failed to understand the social care sector as a whole. It is worrying to hear that the Minister for Health and Social Care did not understand the social care sector – and consequently, Covid-19 was allowed to spread through care homes like wildfire. Thus, it is largely unsurprising that when the Scottish Parliament demanded a public inquiry into this scandal, the government delayed it for as long as possible. Governments make mistakes, but mistakes like these cost lives – and therefore it is a misrepresentation to say that the Scottish government have handled this crisis well.
Hands. Face. Space. This simple yet effective public health message wasn’t up to Nicola Sturgeon’s standards. Instead, the Scottish government, in a bitter attempt to be different to Downing Street, thought of FACTS. This acronym stood for face coverings, avoiding crowded places, cleaning hands, two metre distancing, and self-isolating upon developing symptoms. The main problem with FACTS was that no one could remember its meaning. Not only was the acronym confusing, but some parts no longer applied during the further relaxation of rules in Scotland. Assuming Scottish pubs manage to survive the last stage of Scottish restrictions, the meaning of FACTS will likely become a pub quiz question. Ultimately, the only benefit to the acronym lay in its difference to Downing Street’s message.
Despite these failures, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon referred to her pandemic ‘leadership’ as a ground for re-election on debates leading to the May 6 election. Does a Covid-19 care home scandal and a failed public health message constitute an example of strong leadership? With the SNP spending millions on spin doctors, the answer to that question is likely to be in the affirmative. Nevertheless, while it was disappointing to see the SNP re-elected on May 6, it is comforting to know that Jeane Freeman is no longer a Member of the Scottish Parliament.
Harry Grieve
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/holyrood-in-a-spin-as-number-of-press-officers-soars-87lkpg3kv