LET’S imagine a country of five million people. And let us also imagine they were told from the beginning to wear a mask, or else. And let us also imagine they did what they were told.
Now I am sure many are thinking I am dreaming. Who could impose that on a nation and get away with it? Well, let’s put a name to such a nation. How about Singapore? A small country to be sure, it has a population similar to Scotland’s.
Oh yes, around five million.
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The main difference being they trust the direction their government is taking them. That must be obvious. They therefore obey directives that help to protect their health. Now this was reported recently on a news broadcast by the BBC. You know, the broadcaster we all know and trust.
The news item interviewed some of the nationals walking freely in the street. When asked what was thought of having to wear a mask all the time, the reply was: “It is the new norm”. However, the most fascinating fact to come from this news item was the total Covid death toll in the 10 months since the beginning of the pandemic. It was, according to the BBC, only 10. I will repeat this number because I think it is significant. There have been 10 deaths attributed to Covid-19.
Could it be that Singaporeans are more health conscious and law-abiding than the Scots? Anybody care to remind me what our death toll is? All this is not helped by idiots travelling from London up to Scotland, or from the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Burghfield as reported in Tuesday’s edition of The National.
I am sure that our Scottish Government tries hard in the face of constant criticism. You know what I mean: “It’s too much – no, it’s not enough.” No matter what they do, it will be criticised by those in opposition. They would rather do that than help fight a common enemy. These other parties have no interest in our population. They would rather pay lip service to a Westminster-based head office. This constant bickering means the government spends too much time having to defend itself and not just applying itself to the job in hand. How about we try the Singapore method, and protect ourselves willingly? We can do this by wearing masks outside and in shops. It is, after all, mainly for our own benefit.
Ian Rankine
Milngavie
AT last the government have decided to pre-test and quarantine everyone at the UK borders. A pity they have done it several months and 100,000 deaths too late! Enough said!
Pete Rowberry
Duns
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