So now we are allowed to visit second homes.......

[Loadsadosh]

Is this a case of do what I say, not what I do......
“The Chief Medical Officer in Scotland, Catherine Calderwood, 51, was snapped strolling across a golf course with her husband and kids after flouting lockdown advice by heading to her coastal property this weekend.”

The response from the Scottish Government......
”An SNP Government spokesman replied: “Since this start of this epidemic, the CMO has been working seven days a week preparing Scotland’s response.
“She took the opportunity this weekend to check on a family home in Fife as she knows she will not be back again until the crisis is over.
“She stayed overnight before returning to Edinburgh. In line with guidance she stayed within her own household group and observed social distancing with anyone she was in passing in the village.”

I am sure everyone else who has a second home would like to use it, or check on it, as well! Am I being unfair in thinking this is double standards and an absolute disgrace that this has been defended by a Government spokesman.

@Nanny0gg

"But isn't Scotland doing it's own thing here? Nicola Sturgeon makes the rules for them doesn't she?"

Them? Them??

That's shocking and I'm glad the press have picked it up.

The hypocrisy of some people is disgraceful.

I felt doubt she was in need of a break but to do this does show a shocking error of judgement.

The Scottish govt should have said that, she made a mistake after a period of intense work pressure, tirelessly for the health of the nation etc....not tried to justify the actual trip.

I trust her. She’s formidably intelligent, experienced and well qualified.

She come across as utterly committed and consumed by this and honest and direct in her speeches.

So i trust that she did nothing wrong. No interaction and an essential travel (who knows - a leak? ).

I just hope that she is not forced to get distracted by this.

Really inappropriate behaviour. Particularly given the extent to which COVID-19 is circulating among politicians and their advisors.

Scotland, like Wales where I am, have a devolved government and that includes health.

Prior to it actually becoming law that you are not to travel unnecessarily, especially to rural areas, like where I am, EVERYONE of the MPs in Wales and equivilent in Scotland were pushing for this law. Including this fool.

It doesn't matter how hard or not someone is working. You do not do it.

We still haven't recovered from everyone turning up here two weeks ago ransacking all the supermarkets and pharmacies for their "isolation". Yes they've gone, but they've taken all that food and medication with them. It wasn't just those isolating either - people who owned accommodation claimed to be here "just checking on things" - you don't just check on things when the weather is nice ffs, local paper as full of bitchy tourists claiming they weren't made to feel welcome on their day trip to "see" their second home. We still have major shortages. Including things like asthma inhalers and steroids never mind bread/milk etc as we are end of the line for deliveries.

There's no home delivery in much of the isolated uk; in areas on the boundaries of that they're only allowing those with letters from public health England/Wales/Scotland to have deliveries. Same goes for medication and that is only to your primary address.

She needs the book (preferably a nice thick hard back like complete works of Shakespeare) chucked at her and fired. She knew exactly what she was doing and that it was illegal. And the Scottish government can do the same.

We still have people turning up here and being sent away by police. Our police are spending more and more time trailing around the local mountains removing these idiots than anything else. There have been groups of farmers getting together to remove people from their land because people are still coming here in their caravans and mobile homes from God knows where. Now the police are asking to see proof of residency, like a recent bill.

Disgusting behaviour by her and the Scottish government and yes she should be sacked, she's the "chief medical officer for Scotland" and doesn't understand the seriousness of what's she's done. She must go.

I think it’s a huge shame tbh - she’s been doing a great job, comes across really well etc but she’s seriously damaged her credibility with one poor choice. I’ve no doubt she did everything ‘right’ but the rest of us probably could too yet we’ve been clearly and unequivocally told not to.

'But isn't Scotland doing it's own thing here? Nicola Sturgeon makes the rules for them doesn't she?'

Exactly. What a complete balls up from the Scottish CMO. I hope the press ask her about this at their next conference. Working 7 days a week! So what. The whole NHS is under immense pressure, she should lead by example. Essential travel only Mrs Calderwood remember?!

Then Scottish CMO and sturgeon seem to think they can do as they please, they have said on press conferences 'oh, I haven't seen England CMO'S comments or the Health Secretary's'. Just bizarre the way they look down their noses on England and flout rules even in this crisis.

@Bringringbring12

How dare you say that! You have no idea what I am doing, but I can assure you I am sticking to the guidelines 100%, unlike the CMO for Scotland!

Currently we have our grandmother staying with us and I go back to her house and get her post and check around to make sure everything is ok. I suppose that is an essential journey in a way, but we need to deal with bills etc.

Calm down prefects!!
She drove an hour up the road stayed in her own home for one night and back, probably safer than most of you going to Tesco.
Stop for a minute and think of her job and the pressures, would you be demanding an NHS nurse be sacked for this??

And our MP is staying in London has done for weeks now, he could easily come home to one of the safest places in the UK (according to the crappy stats being released that is, and it won't be as safe as they imply) but isnt and has asked his staff in London to stay there as well to protect what few resources we have here.

I'm sure he too would like to see his family.
Instead he's doing the right thing.

My MP was one of the first to put together a letter, before two weeks ago demanding a cease on travel and the tourist industry.

@JKScot4 agreed! Way too much vitriol on here.

There is a second home next door to my dad (in Snowdonia). They turned up about 10 days ago, had a Tesco delivery and have had TWO visits from the police and are STILL there.
They are also hurling abuse at my dad across the garden wall because they think he phoned the police (he didn't) but that is a whole other post.

jkscot yes I would, especially if they were a nurse.

Where I am staff living any distance away from work (you can be hours from the local hospital here) are being asked to move closer (accommodation is being made available locally for them) to prevent travelling.

People here are losing out on medical care and being left to die because there's one minor hospital and all clinics have been closed and the next nearest are hours away, assuming they aren't also closed.

YANBU. We have a small second home and with this weather it would be lovely to go there. It’s not essential, so we are staying put just like we have since before lockdown was announced.

The Prime Minster's finance appears to have broken the rules too as she have moved out and is living somewhere else.

Did she though or was she elsewhere when she developed symptoms so stayed there? I haven’t see anything from her to clarify what happened.

The Minister of Health in NZ drove to a mountain bike park to get his exercise, and our PM was not at all happy about it. The same rules apply to all, whoever they are.

How dare you say that! You have no idea what I am doing, but I can assure you I am sticking to the guidelines 100%, unlike the CMO for Scotland! Good for you

'Calm down prefects!!'

Prefects A national crisis with strict rules set in place and you think it's appropriate to mock and sneer.

There are rules, stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives. Yet the Scottish CMO does her own thing. I hope she resigns.

@dentydown, I'm pretty sure those would count as essential journeys under the legislation in the caring and legal obligation categories, as long as they're occasional and necessary. Carry some of your grandmother's paperwork just in case.

@Becca19962014
I know of one NHS nurse who took her child to a GP clinic with no appointment, then advised to self isolate and 5 days in demanded her ex came and took the kids shopping as they were bored, thankfully he refused. Unfortunately she’s not in the public eye to be shamed 🙄

* You have no idea what I am doing*

Yes I see what you’re doing.
Starting threads about someone who is at the very very forefront of dealing with this unprecedented health crisis, and doing a damn good job. And you’re contribution is to draw attention to fact that she drove thirty mins to her second home for what was no doubt a very valid reason that would fall under essential... a problem with the house, a leak, a security issue, whatever.

So yes - you’re right, you are doing something. Something daft.

'It’s advised not to travel, the nastiness and desperation to tell tales is vile, MN has turned into a bunch of bullying telltales, desperate to see ppl get into trouble.'

But she will have been involved in the setting this very guidance that police are now enforcing. Non essential travel means more risk. We all have had it drummed into us!! yet the Scottish CMO missed the point apparently.