Jason Leitch: Government needs people to trust its decisions on coronavirus outbreak

It has been a week of rapid change for all of us.

The science revealed we had to move quickly to suppress the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) and, because of this, we’ve put in place measures we always knew were a possibility – to close schools and ask people to take further steps to reduce social contact.

More recently, advice has been issued for businesses – including pubs, restaurants, gyms and cinemas – to close.

This is about saving lives, and it’s important we get the timing right. Act too fast and we could see a peak of cases later. Act too slowly and a sharp peak in cases now could threaten to overwhelm the NHS.

Mother’s Day advice…. @scotgov @scotgovhealth #Covid19 pic.twitter.com/ckIoILEi38

— Jason Leitch (@jasonleitch) March 21, 2020

The information we are getting from around the world is, fortunately, telling us children are not getting seriously ill. The majority don’t get symptoms when infected – and you spread coronavirus when you have symptoms, so children are less likely to do so. That’s why schools haven’t been closed before now.

But we’re trying to make the peak in cases smaller and last over a longer period, so our NHS can cope. And the trajectory of this virus, particularly in London, made it necessary for this week’s actions.

We need the people of Scotland to support the NHS and vulnerable groups by changing their behaviour. The more we all comply with what we are being asked to do the better we will get through this. And I’d like to thank everyone for all of their efforts so far – we know it’s not easy.

There are, so far, 373 positive cases of coronavirus in Scotland.

An incredible amount of work is being done to reduce the impact of this pandemic on our society.

A £350 million fund has been made available to councils, charities, businesses and community groups to help those impacted by coronavirus, either economically or through reduced contact with society.

This week’s Coronavirus Bill introduced into the UK Parliament will enable the Scottish Government to bring more health professionals and social workers into the workforce.

And a £2.2 billion package of measures is being introduced on April 1 to help businesses.

We need the people of Scotland to trust the decision-makers to take care of the bigger picture, at the same time as following advice and looking after themselves and their communities the best way they can.