Stop the FM Daily Briefing
The daily briefings were intended to inform but have become a platform to depress, bully and control the public. Indeed they seem to have morphed into a party political broadcast. The never ending negativity with no hint of a positive outcome in the near to medium term deflates rather than boosts morale. This is an avowedly “evidenced based policy” administration yet the daily briefings cite no evidence for the draconian measures being introduced. Face masks, rule of 6, 10pm closures, none of it has been justified by evidence. Even the latest “evidence” paper supporting the central belt shutdown is nothing more than hyperbole, misinformation, omission and propaganda. The young are not dying so they wheel out “long Covid” as justification for some of their actions. No evidence, no numbers, just a bland statement.
Why the contribution is important
The general public are losing interest, becoming frustrated at the lack of a coherent policy, and indeed angry with the way their rights are being trashed. The daily briefings do nothing to counter this malaise. Either stop them completely or radically change them - make them apolitical (get rid of the FM), make them evidence based, make them contextualised (where does Covid sit with all other public health issues), interpret the numbers don’t just repeat them, show charts rather than words. Above all, make them positive.
by FreeToChoose on October 08, 2020 at 06:42AM
Posted by Julie October 08, 2020 at 14:42
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Posted by Lammykins October 08, 2020 at 15:13
The FM is doing an amazing job and is admirable at how apolitical she’s kept her responses to being “questioned” by journalists.
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Posted by harviej October 08, 2020 at 15:19
I find I dread every day at 12.15
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Posted by Daradara October 08, 2020 at 20:23
-People who became unemployed the previous day
-Business closed forever the previous day
-People requiring mental health services the previous day
And so on
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Posted by Mercs2011 October 08, 2020 at 22:40
I also think it's a pretty brave thing to do to get up there every day and take responsibility for decisions and explain the reasoning for the policies that have been implemented, particularly when you know that some measures will be unpopular and have unintended consequences for some. But every day the FM shows up, takes responsibility and communicates clearly what is happening (and why) and then answers endless questions with good humour and openness. I am really proud to have this type of leadership for our country at such a difficult time. Here is someone genuinely trying to do the right thing, taking ownership, not hiding behind others and working harder than anyone I have ever seen.
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Posted by rationalone October 10, 2020 at 10:40
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Posted by Parsfan October 11, 2020 at 13:25
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Posted by bookMeg October 11, 2020 at 14:09
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Posted by mawfred October 11, 2020 at 14:41
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Posted by Nghtshd3 October 11, 2020 at 15:23
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Posted by skateMom October 11, 2020 at 18:03
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Posted by CaroMac October 11, 2020 at 18:42
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Posted by Norrie October 11, 2020 at 19:58
I think the handling of covid should be devolved to Local Authorities and Health Boards.
Health Boards could introduce covid free hospitals allowing other health issues to be dealt with.
Local Authorities taking over restrictions and giving of updates for their areas only, reducing the level of fear and taking out the politics.
The SG should oversee finances and resources to where they are needed the most.
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Posted by Carronhall October 11, 2020 at 20:44
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