Coronavirus: Listen to health advice and we will get through this – Angus Robertson

Concern about the outbreak is putting ever more pressure on our decision-makers to make tough calls to save lives, reduce risks and see us through this worrying time.

Quite why people in the UK Government thought the right way to do this was to anonymously brief the media over pending announcements about social isolation for older people, is worrying in the extreme. Public safety should not be an issue or a party political football. That is why the cross-party support for First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last week was extremely welcome.

We must however have the most transparent and consistent communication of public safety advice from our decision-makers, and an explanation for the plans, the timing and the rationale. In recent days we have seen that from the First Minister, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman and Chief Medical Officer Catherine Calderwood. It will be a relief to older people and their families that Dr Calderwood has insisted that over-70s will not be asked to totally isolate themselves for a long period unless they are ill.

Current advice for people of all age groups is that if you have any signs of possible symptoms, like a temperature or new, persistent cough, you must stay at home for seven days and only contact your GP or NHS 24 if the symptoms are severe or if you have shortness of breath.

Given how fast-moving the virus threat is, hopefully the advice we will receive in the days ahead will be as clear. We’re all in this together, and we will get through this in the weeks and months ahead.