‘PLAYING POLITICS’ Nicola Sturgeon sparks backlash after turning on Boris with brutal jibe
NICOLA STURGEON has sparked a furious backlash after a making a brutal political jibe towards Boris Johnson and the NHS track and trace app.
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The app was expected to be launched in tandem with the UK’s track and trace programme but has been dogged by problems. The app was scheduled to go live this month but due to problems with Apple and Google software, some ministers have stated it may never be launched. In light of the report, Scotland’s First Minister praised her Government’s decision not to carry on with the app due to the potential technological problems.
She said today: “In the Scottish Government we made a decision not to design and build our Test and Protect system around an untested app.
“That decision was criticised by some - but I think it’s been vindicated now.”
However, some took to Twitter to hit out Ms Sturgeon for playing politics amid the coronavirus.
One person said: “Never really been a fan of the old ‘I told you so’. Not a good look.”
Another added: “Would it not have been even more amazing if it had worked and covered the whole UK.
“Celebrating failure is the last thing we need.”
A third said: “Seems to be moving away from the non-political point-scoring that they both promised.
“Little England/Little Scotland mentality returns, none of that will assist the highest death rate in Europe!”
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A fourth added added: “Concentrate on being part of the cure rather than being negative?
“How’s testing going in Scotland? Hit your target yet?
“What about care homes? Works all ways doesn’t it? Let’s pull together.”
The app devised by NHS may well be scrapped as the Government presses on to focus on one developed between Apple and Google rather than the UK’s own.
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Although this decision has been heavily criticised, Ms Sturgeon has faced severe problems of her own in Scotland’s battle with the pandemic.
The spread of the virus in care homes has been one of the country’s biggest problems and Ms Sturgeon did, in fact, admit mistakes had been made in discharging patients from hospital to care homes without being tested.
In statistics released on June 17 from the National Records of Scotland, between the start of the outbreak and now, there were 2,451 more deaths in care homes than the average.
That represents 77 percent more than expected for this time of year in that setting.
Deaths in care homes also represent 50 percent of all COVID-19 deaths which according to the NRS stood at 4,070 on June 14.
This may differ to Government statistics as excess deaths count where COVID-19 is mentioned as a cause of death rather than the person testing positive for the virus.
There has also been criticism for how schools will return in Scotland following the implementation of Ms Sturgeon’s “blended” schools approach.
Pupils will not return to schools until August 11 but will have learning split between home and classroom.
Some councils have even stated due to social distancing, only a third of pupils will return at any one time.
However, there is fear this model may particularly hit children from deprived backgrounds and for working parents.