Quote Originally Posted by JamesMcClean View Post
All of the above highlight that the decision to extend lockdown until the latter part of May (Tier 3 is basically a defacto lockdown) is flawed. Let’s not forget to see the wood for the trees for the reasons for the lockdown - reduce transmission, protect vulnerable groups, reduce hospitilisations, protect the NHS.

The evidence is clear now that vaccinations are having a profound effect on the above. Vulnerable groups are now mostly vaccinated, hospitilisations are reducing massively and now moving forward the inherent risk to the NHS being overwhelmed is being eliminated. This is where the extremely important other factors in managing a pandemic must increasingly take precedence moving forward - mental health, re-opening of normal healthcare and cracking back on with large outpatient waiting lists and finally, the economy. This whole episode has wrecked businesses, livelihoods, jobs and families and the longer it goes on risk making the country bankrupt. No one is belittling the profound effects that the loss of a loved one with Covid will have caused those affected . But continuing with extreme lockdowns is also going to affect families through redundancies, emotional detachment and regretfully in some cases, even suicide.

Balance is needed - April 26th is too long and the science does not suggest that this is necessary. I would urge the Scottish Government to re-think this and move into Tier 3 in early April, not the end.
Excellent post mate!