Without bashing Glasgow please can you explain why it has so many Covid cases? so

[theotherfossilsister]

I don't think people in Glasgow are less responsible than those in say Edinburgh. I know folk in both. Why is it worse? Poverty? Closer living?

Poverty. Closer living. Poorer mental health because of both of those things so more meeting up with others. Poorer weather so bunching up outside shops rather than maintaining distance. Lots of things.

Thanks Louise. I'm fond of both cities and would love to be able to counter some of the 'irresponsible Glaswegians' myth minority of folk I know talk about in Edinburgh.

I know a few folk being idiots here.

Fewer percentage of people who can work from home too - lots of people in factory type jobs, especially in the Lanarkshires, where rates have been high.

I’d say greater levels of deprivation maybe? My dh was a doctor there many years and worked in a hospital covering Springburn and other deprived areas, he saw shocking levels of self-destructive health issues caused by drug and alcohol addiction, self neglect etc. Absolutely brutal. I don’t think their bodies could’ve handled Covid-19 on top of everything else they’d been put through. When we moved to London where he’s worked in several hospitals in deprived areas nothing was as bad as he saw there. I’m not knocking Glasgow by the way, I absolutely love it there, lived there myself. Fond of Edinburgh too. And dh liked working in that hospital in Glasgow - so much camaraderie among the doctors, good atmosphere to work in.
Of course there is plenty poverty in Edinburgh too.
I’m sure it must be annoying if you’re hearing people claim that folk in Glasgow are less responsible and not following the rules. Some people are loving pointing the finger and blaming atm.

There is a strong element of poor health, linked to deprivation, having an effect. I believe that Parkhead/Calton has consistently had high rates, along with Govanhill, and that would support that.

I have to be honest though- people really aren't following the rules. Even that has to be broken down further, from people doing it for childcare, or for mental health reasons, or just because they won't be told.

There are also people (like my mother) who genuinely believe they are socially distancing, because although she has been inside at least three of her sisters' houses, she hasn't accepted a cup of tea (Maybe there is something in the old Glasgow/Edinburgh joke that in Edinburgh you'll have had your tea. I don't know.)

I also really believe that the idea of 'bubbles' is quite damaging. A lot of people seem to think that you saying 'I'm in a bubble' means that you can't transmit the virus.

@Arewethereyet21

Fewer percentage of people who can work from home too - lots of people in factory type jobs, especially in the Lanarkshires, where rates have been high.

Yep a very important point.

Thank you. The point about the hospital and deprivation is so important.

I've known of folk in Edinburgh breaching the rules too in small ways so don't think that can be blamed for higher death rate.

Larger city / greater population density?

More key workers who can’t work from home.

It’s not just Glasgow. Nature has several articles examining how covid disproportionately affects poorer people abs the Scottish government page allows you to organise stats by deprivation status

The three highest cases of Covid are also where there are large hospitals- QUEX, Monklands, Wishaw and Hairmyres. I think hospital cases must have some impact on overall numbers.

I honestly think there's more of a culture of popping in and out of each other's houses etc in the West than East, more tactile, chatting on the bus etc.
So in addition to the density/deprivation (like areas of London) the bare minimum of perceived acceptable contact is higher. Even among those who believe they are complying with all the guidance.
(I have family on both sides, so no skin in the game!)

@Arewethereyet21

Fewer percentage of people who can work from home too - lots of people in factory type jobs, especially in the Lanarkshires, where rates have been high.

Definitely. Edinburgh is very much a financial hub versus Glasgow where more workers will be in manual jobs. Higher population density too I believe.

Glasgow population density is nearly double Edinburgh 3400 per km vs 1800.

Poverty so more underlying health conditions and greater likelihood of serious illness. More shared, cramped housing. More use of public transport as no access to own transport (bike, car). More jobs that can't be done at home eg factories, call centres, health and social care, services. Therefore more people using informal childcare, combine that with close-knit communities and regular social contact. Zero hours contracts or low paid jobs where people can't afford to self-isolate.

But also some individual behaviours eg mask-wearing and social distancing in supermarkets in Parkhead is totally different to the west end.

I’d guess poverty, combined with lots of hospitals

And poor general health; getting worse with lockdown

I would guess population density is high up in the possible culprit list.
I am in the NE and the highest incidence is no surprise. - the city

Occupation is also a factor ( more outdoor working in rural areas) along with public transportation - we don’t have good transportation links up here, and probably have a higher incidence on car usage than in the central belt.

Poorly paid workers can’t afford to self isolate or Stay The Fuck At Home

The hospital point us a good one.

I'm fond of both cities. Edinburgh is fairly compact, I reckon a higher proportion of the population can walk everywhere they need to get to, avoiding public transport. Agree with previous posters that a higher proportion of the population in Edinburgh can work from home. With higher levels of deprivation in Glasgow, there might be more children school attendance due to being "vulnerable" (not a great term is it? I guess shorthand for "at higher risk of being disadvantaged".)

Everything everyone else has said about poverty, health, occupation etc. Also wonder if Glasgow/Lanarkshire people have more extended family close by providing childcare/bubbling than folk in Edinburgh who may be more likely to have relocated there from elsewhere in UK and beyond?
I think maybe just a perfect storm of all those factors.

Also more multicultural- multiple generations living together. Also language barrier can be an issue .

Well it's a bigger city for a start. I also agree with a lot of what people have said about more multicultural, more multi-generational living. Also I know it's purely anecdata but when I lived in Edinburgh my two neighbours - one worked for RBS, the other for Scottish Widows. Sorts of jobs you can do at home. Now I'm in Glasgow, one neighbour works in the Tunnocks factory, the other is a doctor. Not the jobs you can do at home. The QEUH takes patients from all over Scotland, as does the children's hospital. Three big universities, four if you count the one in Paisley.

Deprivation is the big factor - we've had lots of deaths in East Dunbartonshire but nearly all in care homes.

Agree with all.
It’s wider than just Glasgow/Edinburgh though. I have relatives in Ayrshire and Fife. NHS Ayrshire and Arran and NHS Fife cover similar population sizes. Both have own hospitals, towns, lots of villages (ex-mining), farming, no cities.
But positive cases and hospital admissions much higher in Ayrshire and Arran for months now.

I think it's being more industrial so can't work from home now manufacturing is open.

Lots of keyworkers, working in the many care homes in affluent suburbs (like East Dunbartonshire) travelling by public transport (which exists and is relied on by many) from less affluent areas.

Lots of keyworkers in are using grandparents as childcare (grandparents still working) because they obviously don't work childcare hours. Our neighbour who does childcare for her daughter (a nurse) is also still working part time as a nurse...

I also suspect that families tend to stay close to home so are seeing more of family within or outside the rules.

Distancing in supermarkets isn't great and still plenty of noses hanging out. Including in East Dunbartonshire, so assume it is similar everywhere - no difference between Lidl, Tesco and Sainsbury's.

Not sure how easy testing is to access without a car - Airport has been quick to get tests and quick results but obviously out of town.