Coronavirus: Boris Johnson and Nicola Sturgeon both face big decisions – Angus Robertson

These are confusing times. Things look reassuringly similar, but much has changed utterly. We’ve to keep calm and carry on, but take precautions. We’ve to be sensible and not panic. Coronavirus is now in Scotland and we all need to play our part in combating it.

In Edinburgh over the weekend we had signs of normality, with ­thousands of people enjoying the rugby at ­Murrayfield, the football at Tynecastle and everything that the Capital has to offer. At the same time, the shelves of stores across the city were often emptied of toilet roll and hand-sanitiser. Shoppers are now buying ‘just in case’ rather than ‘just in time’. On many ­levels the behaviour is absolutely rational, if not following the official advice. Supermarkets are beginning to limit the sale of certain items.

Watching the news about Covid-19 is a frightening experience for many. Something that we can’t see is ­making its way around the world, killing thousands of people, with the potential to impact on us all. What seemed far away to start with, in the Chinese city of Wuhan, has made its way to favourite holiday locations in Europe. One quarter of the Italian population is now in lockdown. Around 16 million people in Lombardy and 14 further provinces are in quarantine.

In Scotland we have had confirmed cases in all health board areas covering larger population centres, including Lothian. It is reassuring that of around 2,000 coronavirus tests carried out in this country, more than 99 per cent have been negative. However, the expectation is that the number of ­positive tests is expected to rise, ­perhaps rapidly in the days ahead.

We are effectively moving from the containment stage to the delay stage, which will involve “social distancing” measures, which will impact on larger events, may involve the closure of schools and encouragement of home working. More people will have to self-isolate at home to ensure that they have not picked up the virus.

The good news for people who don’t have underlying health problems is that, even if you catch Covid-19, you will only experience mild symptoms and won’t require hospital treatment. That is not very reassuring for older people or those already suffering poor health, and we need to think about them at this time.

Coronavirus is definitely a significant worry, but it’s important to remember the advice that makes the biggest difference: please wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, use tissues for coughs and avoid touching your face. At times like this we have to wish our decision-makers well. It will not be easy for Prime Minister Boris Johnson, even with the best advice at Cobra meetings. It will not be easy for First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at resilience meetings, with professional support deciding about Scotland’s public health in the fast-changing circumstances. Reacting too restrictively can have severe consequences, just as delaying certain measures can too.

Scotland’s circumstances are not the same as Italy or China, but Covid-19 is the same the world over. It is a realistic concern that it is here to stay, but, undoubtedly, we will see a vaccine developed soon. In the meantime we need to follow the advice on personal health precautions and household shopping as well as the public advice which will follow in the days and weeks ahead.