[0762]

What's this about a Nike conference in Edinburgh and 10 people tested positive for Coronavirus but Nicola Sturgeon refused to tell the public because it would patient confidentially. How would it be patient confidentially to say that there are 10 people who tested positive for Coronavirus at a Nike conference in Edinburgh. Surely that would alert the public and bring in social distancing earlier. Something doesn't add up.

I believe eight of the infected parties were Scottish and they were subsequently traced through an "independent" medical investigation team in a formal process that is recognised and would be deployed in the event of such an incident. The investigators traced and dealt with the Scottish individuals who were affected and didn't reveal their details because they would be easily identified from the region of Scotland where they resided eg if one person came from Tayside and was named, it is likely that his/her identity would be picked up by an aggressive hack or other party of similar ilk - hence the issue of patient confidentiality being breached by the "independent" investigation team, not the Scottish FM!! Other individuals at that meeting were from overseas and their information was passed on to the relative authorities as per the recognised process of action following such an event. Of course it was not a perfect scenario but I'd suggest, having read (in a local govt capacity), years ago, a previous local govt confidential doc on the strategy to cover a worst pandemic than this one, that consideration re alarming the public was well highlighted in that doc. I assume the current document has been amended to a more robust strategy than the one that I read. And the fact it is an evolving process was well highlighted and emphasised that the strategy would be fraught with difficulty in dealing with it effectively and acting as quickly and as practically possible. Mistakes will likely be made (in bold letters!!!!) during the period of implementation of such an emergency strategy - of course they will!! Just a flavour of what MOPs will never see or be made aware of in such a massive crisis that, in this case globally, has been witnessed in over a century. May I also add that I have just been made aware, following an antibody test, that I contracted COVID-19 in Feb 2020 as well and do you know where I reckon I contracted it - at the Scottish Cup tie at Tannadice, Dundee United v Hibs. My son, who accompanied me, contracted it too but with slightly different symptoms. I'm just finally recovering from the after effects now (had every symptom described by Nicola, Jason Leitch, the Scot CMO and felt like shit for weeks and weeks!!) but never knew if it was COVID-19 because I was never tested. Lotsa Hibs fans exchanged info after that cup tie when we were all crammed together in a typical Scot Cup atmosphere - many fans on Hibs social media asked the same question re being ill days after that match and it never "twigged" with me at the time - you "live and learn"!! I'm just glad I'm over it and it didn't attack my chest but went for my throat and sinuses to the point of blood clotting on occasions - a little bastard of a persistent virus and remember I'm referring to a match way back in late February!! Not f###### funny!!