Patients with chronic eye conditions will be now be able to be assessed by community optometrists as part of a new plan supported by £3 million in funding.
Due to changes in hospital services because of COVID-19 – including health, safety and physical distancing measures – there has been limited capacity to see all patients with chronic and sight-threatening conditions.
Under the new plan, the skills of community optometrists will be utilised to support hospital eye services, ensuring more patients can be seen for their appointments.
Community optometrists are qualified to undertake this care – and the new initiative will help patients as well as supporting the existing optometry workforce.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to accelerate the reform of NHS eye care services.
This includes funding to support an additional 50 optometrists to train as independent prescribing optometrists, who can safely treat more patients within the community.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “As we steadily re-mobilise, we are implementing new ways of working to enable our highly skilled workforce across the whole NHS to deliver care in a safe and timely manner.
“I’m pleased that as we continue to see positive results in dealing with the virus, hospital patients with eye conditions will now be able to be reviewed by community optometrists.
“Community optometrists have worked very hard during the pandemic to embrace new ways of working, and these clinicians will now also play a key role in this initiative.
“This plan utilises the capacity within community optometry – their expertise, staffing and readily equipped practices can support the NHS both during the COVID-19 pandemic recovery, and beyond.”
Director of Royal National Institute of Blind Scotland James Adams said: “We welcome any move that ensures people receive timely eye-care examinations and treatment. It remains as crucial as ever that eye problems are diagnosed as quickly as possible so that people don’t lose sight unnecessarily.
“As with all our health sector staff, optometrists have worked incredibly hard to maintain their vital service in very challenging conditions. RNIB Scotland has worked closely with them to assure the public that it is safe, and important, to attend appointments.”
The UK Government is investing £7.2 million in twenty research projects across the UK, including the universities of Edinburgh and Strathclyde, to help provide developing countries with sustainable solutions to respond to Covid-19 and future pandemics.
One of these projects, led by the University of Edinburgh’s Dr Thomas Molony, will receive £367,000 to investigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on elections in Africa.
Working in partnership with colleagues in the Central African Republic, Ghana and Tanzania, the study will find ways to protect the electorate from Covid-19 transmission.
The project team – comprising of country specialists, leading public health researchers, and election experts – plan to investigate multiple stages of each election, tracking patterns of turnout and using surveys (with gender-balanced samples) to investigate attitudes towards voting so that any emergent gender inequality is highlighted.
The University of Strathclyde project, led by Dr Pratima Sambajee, will receive £199,579 in funding to look at how Covid-19 has impacted workers’ rights in Mauritius and how improvements can be made.
The hardest hit are workers in tourism and hospitality, textile factories and the informal economy. Examples include reduced compensation, withholding of workers’ annual leave and exemption from negotiations with workers’ organisations (unions) by employers prior to reduction of the workforce.
UK Government Minster for Scotland, Iain Stewart said: “These remarkable projects will play a critical role in helping to address the issue of Covid-19 transmission at elections in the developing world and help ensure workers’ rights are protected.
“Adapting to the risks of Covid-19 has been especially hard for the world’s most vulnerable communities.
“It’s great news that Scottish researchers are helping the international community respond to the pandemic and making an impact tackling Covid-19 globally.”
UK Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “Defeating coronavirus is a truly global endeavour, which is why we’re backing Britain’s scientists and researchers to work with their international counterparts to find tech solutions to treat and combat this virus around the world.
“By backing these pioneering research projects in Scotland, we are equipping some of the most vulnerable communities with the resources they need to tackle pandemics now and in the future.”
Dr Thomas Molony, Director, Centre of African Studies at Edinburgh University said: Elections give people the opportunity to shape the future of their societies. Such decisions are crucial in the context of Covid-19, which has drastically affected lives around the globe.
“A number of elections are still due to take place this year in Africa, and there are a further 18 elections are scheduled for 2021.
“By working to reduce the risks of Covid-19 transmission during elections, we’re contributing towards one of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): to ensure healthy lives and promote the wellbeing for all at all ages.
“We are also interested in democracy. The Covid-19 pandemic has the potential for democratic back-sliding, where the quality and legitimacy of elections are undermined – either unintentionally because of safety measures, or intentionally where incumbents seek to instrumentalise the virus through authoritarian measures designed to benefit themselves.”
Other projects receiving UK Government funding include delivering mass vaccination capacity in Bangladesh, protective equipment for refugees in Jordan and remote healthcare access for patients in Nigeria.
The £7.2 million UK government funding will be managed by UK aid programmes, the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) and the Newton Fund.
The funding follows the launch of the government’s ambitious R&D Roadmap in July, which committed to boosting international collaboration in research and development and establishing global scientific partnerships that will create health, social and economic benefits across the world.
Revised guidance for colleges, universities and student accommodation providers reflecting the latest public health advice has been published.
It builds on previous guidance and uses the most up-to-date evidence to support universities, colleges and accommodation providers plan for a safe return to campus in the new academic year. It includes:
a continuation of blended learning, with significantly reduced frequency and numbers of staff and students on campus compared to pre-COVID levels
a requirement to keep face-to-face teaching to small groups, generally less than 30 and supported by other infection prevention control measures. Group numbers of up to 50 students may be considered in some circumstances, but only where supported by a risk assessment
advice that face coverings should be worn in any area on campus where physical distancing cannot be guaranteed, on dedicated college and university transport and in student accommodation indoor communal areas such as toilets, common rooms and laundry rooms
a requirement for colleges and universities to give clear information on regulations and guidance to students arriving from outside Scotland, and to take steps to ensure international students and staff who need to quarantine comply with the law, including using appropriate disciplinary procedures
The start of the student year will be fundamentally different this year with significant change to the delivery of education and a need to dramatically curtail the socialising many would associate with this period. It is vital, for the protection of public health, that institutions ensure that the guidance is complied with.
Universities Scotland, Colleges Scotland, National Union of Students (NUS), trades unions and public health professionals were consulted on the guidance.
Further and Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead said: “Colleges and universities have been working extremely hard to ensure the safest possible environment for students and staff returning.
“Studying in Scotland is special no matter where you come from and, while this is an exciting time of year for new and returning students, it is not a resumption of normal life on campus.
“Remote learning will significantly reduce the number of people on campus at any one time, while everyone on campus or in student accommodation must follow the rules around quarantine, self-isolation, physical distancing and using face coverings.
“This guidance strengthens some of these issues and institutions must make students and staff aware of Scottish law and public health advice to keep themselves and others safe. For those people who need to quarantine on arrival, or self-isolate with COVID-19 symptoms, institutions will have a range of practical support in place.
“While we will keep the guidance under review, we believe this strikes the right balance of allowing young people to get on with their lives in a manner that is as safe as it can be for students, staff and society. I have no doubt that students will want to act responsibly and will follow the rules that we are asking them to observe.”
Professor Gerry McCormac, Convener of Universities Scotland, said: “Universities are looking forward to welcoming students back for the start of a new academic year.
“We have been working for months to plan a safe return that will support high quality learning and offer a rounded student experience while ensuring the safety of our students, staff and the wider community. It’s important that students have the opportunity to continue their studies; they’ve been through a lot and will benefit in many ways from a safe return to study.”
Shona Struthers, Chief Executive of Colleges Scotland, said: “The safety of our students and staff is the overarching priority, and this collaboration between the college and university sectors, NUS Scotland and the Scottish Government is an important element in helping everyone in the tertiary education system return to campuses with confidence in the measures which have been put in place.
“As well as following the latest advice from the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland, colleges will continue to engage with student associations, staff, and trade unions to do everything possible to make the approach of blended online and onsite learning for students a success throughout this new academic year.
“Although the practical implications of COVID-19 certainly present challenges to the sector, colleges and their staff have shown remarkable resilience and flexibility in continuing to successfully deliver learning throughout the pandemic.”
Professor Marion Bain, Interim Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said: “University and college life in the midst of Covid19 will feel very different. While learning will continue and students will enjoy spending time with friends, this must be done in a safe way.
“It is vital that students and staff are aware of what they need to do and that they follow all the requirements. These measures are essential in ensuring safety for students, staff and for all those around them.”
Safe and phased return of visitors who improve quality of life.
Professional health and social care services which improve and enrich the wellbeing of care home residents will be able to resume visits under new guidelines.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare services have continued to operate in care homes for pressing clinical reasons, however non-essential visits have been paused.
New guidance outlines how from 7 September care homes can resume face-to-face care from a wide range of health and social care professionals, including podiatrists, physiotherapists, optometrists, dentists, social workers and mental health and disability specialists.
The guidance also makes recommendations for the safe resumption of activity in indoor communal areas – for example lounges and dining areas – as long as strict health and safety measures are in place.
The guidance recommends that enhanced visiting is only resumed in care homes where there are no active cases, have been free of COVID-19 for 28 days, and are actively participating in the care home worker testing programme.
Care homes should update their visiting risk assessments to fully consider the safe resumption of visits by health and social care professionals, which will then be approved by the local Director of Public Health.
In addition, the guidance recommends these visits only for care homes which have sufficient PPE and hand hygiene facilities, infection prevention and control protocols, a visitor protocol and visitor log, and resident consent.
Care homes have been supporting residents to receive three outdoor visitors from no more than two households, provided their home meets strict criteria, since 10 August.
Since 24 August providers can also safely allow one designated indoor visitor for residents within their homes, once their plans have been signed off by the relevant health board’s Director of Public Health.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said:
“This has been, and continues to be, a very challenging time for care home residents, their families and staff – but we are always aware that care homes are first and foremost people’s homes.
“The safe and phased resumption of visits will not only allow the residents of care homes to have access to a wide range of additional health services, but also experience more personal contact, face to face meetings and interactions which will enrich their daily lives.
“The importance of involving a wide range of professional and people in the life of the care home and the impact this has on the wellbeing of residents is well known – and many clinical health and care professionals who visit care homes have already provided support and care to residents in different ways during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are committed to reintroducing measures that allow residents to connect with not only with the full range of health and social care professionals, but also those who enhance and enrich the quality of life for those who live there.”
Importation of new cases remains ‘significant’ public health risk
Travellers from Greece will be required to self-isolate at home, or another specified address, for 14 days on arrival in Scotland from 4am Thursday morning (3 September). This is due to a significant rise in cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) being imported into Scotland by people who have been in Greece.
Evidence of virus importation, especially from the Greek islands, has led to the country being removed from the exemption list on public health grounds. It is believed prevalence of COVID-19 in Greece currently remains lower than 20 per 100,000, however, a number of cases of the virus in Scotland can be traced back to travel to Greece.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “We are in the midst of a global pandemic and the situation in many countries can change suddenly. Therefore, people should think very hard before committing to non-essential travel abroad.
“With Scotland’s relatively low infection rate, importation of new cases from Greece is a significant risk to public health. I would also encourage people who have returned to Scotland from Greece in the last few days to be particularly careful in their social contacts and to ensure they stick to the FACTS.
“We continue to closely monitor the situation in all parts of the world and base the decisions we make on the scientific evidence available.
“Regular discussions continue with the other three governments in the UK.
“Requiring travellers arriving from a non-exempt country to quarantine for 14 days on arrival is vital to helping prevent transmission of the virus and to suppress it. More details about what this means can be found on the Scottish Government website.
“Wherever people have travelled from – an exempt country or not – it is a legal requirement to complete a Passenger Locator Form and provide it to Border Force officials. Failure to do so can also result in a fine since this, along with any failure to self-isolate where required, poses a significant risk to wider public health across Scotland.”
Chief Medical Officer Gregor Smith said: “There is a compelling public health risk around importation of the virus, especially given the number of imported cases linked to the Greek islands.
“The flow of travel between Scotland and Greece, and the behaviour we have seen from some of those travellers, means that on public health grounds there is a strong case – supported by public health directors – to remove Greece from the exemption list.”
Public health rules for international travel are an important part of Scotland’s wider response to the pandemic to limit the introduction of new chains of transmission.
To allow the appropriate arrangements to be put in place, following the laying of the regulations, the change will come into force at 4am on Thursday 3 September.
All international travellers arriving into Scotland, apart from a very limited number of individual exemptions, must complete a passenger locator form and provide evidence that they have done so on arrival in the UK if requested to do so by a Border Force official. This includes people arriving from countries where quarantine is subsequently not required. Individuals who do not complete the form and present it when asked on arrival may be fined £60. The fine can be doubled for each subsequent offence up to a maximum of £480.
Failure to comply with the requirement to quarantine may result in a fine of £480.
Those travelling abroad should check in advance for any local requirements to quarantine on arrival at their destination. Further information about the foreign travel public health rules, including quarantine requirements can be read on the Scottish Government website.
This includes the existing list of overseas destinations where those arriving in Scotland are exempt from self-isolation.
A Scottish Parliament Committee has launched an inquiry to find out how social security can help aid the social and economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Holyrood’s Social Security Committee is keen to find out how the economic downturn will impact people across Scotland and how social security in Scotland should be utilised to support people through it.
The inquiry is particularly focused upon how best the Scottish social security system can support those both in or out of employment, and those seeking to find work in what is likely to be a challenging labour market.
The committee will also examine the constraints the Scottish social security system is under within the wider UK context.
The Committee is seeking workable solutions to help outline a Scottish social security system for 2021 and beyond which can respond to the immense challenges created by this pandemic.
Bob Doris MSP, Convener of the Social Security Committee said: “There is no doubt these are unprecedented times which are likely to create an unprecedented demand for social security support.
“There has been much discussion on the introduction of a universal basic income but our Committee is keen to look beyond this at the other options available.
“We want to know how people feel Social Security Scotland should respond to meet the expected increase in demand and what other forms of support should be made available.
“This inquiry is determined to find out what, within the social security and borrowing powers available to Scottish Ministers, could be achieved and delivered, and to understand the constraints and barriers which would limit the ability of Ministers in Scotland to make the changes required.
“We are seeking views from those right across society to help propose innovative and workable solutions for social security in Scotland which can best combat the devastating impact of this pandemic and aid our recovery.”
To give your views go to the Citizen Space web page:
Council Leader ADAM McVEY writes in the Evening News as the newspaper launches its Recovery Edinburgh campaign:
The past few months have been incredibly tough. The pandemic brought with it immense and abrupt change and a great deal of uncertainty about what was coming next.
However, our city has been faced with huge challenges before and has emerged the other side – stronger.
Our world-renowned festivals were born out of the ashes of WW2 and it is this deep-rooted spirit of creativity, among other things, that will see us flourish again as Edinburgh starts to recover from COVID-19.
Without losing focus from continuing to battle this virus and supporting the incredible efforts of our colleagues in health and social care, we’re planning and working towards the city that we want Edinburgh to become. This will challenge us all but with much to be done, it’s not something that we can shy away from or shelve for another day.
While we are very much thinking long-term, there is a need for short term action to provide immediate support to our local businesses and hospitality sector.
That’s why we have joined up with the Edinburgh Tourism and Action Group (ETAG) and other industry partners to launch the Forever Edinburgh campaign, encouraging all of Edinburgh’s residents and visitors to get back into the city, rediscover and fall in love with it all over again.
Adapting our city for the months ahead and thinking about its longer-term renewal must start now. We should not aim to return Edinburgh to where it was before the pandemic but to collectively strive to make this wonderful city even greater than it was before. Amongst all the challenges there is an opportunity to be grabbed to build an even better city for the future.
Back in 2018 we asked Edinburgers what they wanted their city to be like in 2050.
Resoundingly you told us it should be greener, welcoming, a place where people are happy, healthy and safe. You said you want your Edinburgh to thrive as a clean, green, sustainable City. And that it should be fair – a Capital which is inclusive, affordable and connected. You also said that that the Edinburgh of the future needs to be pioneering and value culture, business and data.
While clearly much has happened since then – I believe these values hold true; that they should become the cornerstones that Edinburgh is rebuilt on, our foundations for the next 30 years and beyond.
This vision could not have been formed without input from Edinburgh’s people and it cannot be delivered without all of us pulling for it. The same can be said for our recovery from COVID. We have to do this as one team: building a better Edinburgh, together.
Since March, our residents have cared for loved ones across our communities by following the government guidance: observing lockdown measures, implementing physical distancing and looking after our more vulnerable people.
Recently we asked you to invest in your communities by getting back into the town centres and supporting local businesses, but of course, only in a manner you feel safe and comfortable doing so.
Thanks to the gradual yet continued relaxation of lockdown measures, people are enjoying some elements of normal life again although they might look quite different now – bars and restaurants are open, and cultural attractions following with many businesses planning for their teams to return to work.
This year, we took Festivals online with several events like the Book Festival and the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival very well attended digitally. It might not have been the August that we’re used to but it reminds us of our city’s unique atmosphere which we can look forward to enjoying fully next year.
I know there was a collective sigh of relief at the news of shielding being paused at the start of August and we were able to see our older or infirm friends and family again – an emotional reunion for sure.
We’ve worked hard to bring back as many services as we can as quickly and safely as possible. Schools reopened earlier this month and we’re continually working to keep up with the changing circumstances and ensure our children’s education isn’t interrupted like it was earlier this year.
While work is underway on some parts of our recovery plan, there are many elements to be discussed and choices to be made in the short and long term. How we do this needs to be a collective conversation and there will be further opportunities for each and every person in Edinburgh to have their say in what happens next.
Our priority has always been to look after our most vulnerable people – that’s not going to change. We need to build on the great work being done by the Edinburgh Poverty Commission to support those who need it and use the crisis to inform how we tackle poverty in our city in the future.
Meanwhile, following a decade of growth, a new tourism strategy will see a fundamental change in how we approach attracting and managing visitors to our city. There is an all-important balance that has to be struck between attracting tourists and protecting the things that bring them here in the first place.
We also have a duty of care for the 30,000 people who are employed in our tourism industry. How do we make their jobs more sustainable? How do we make sure they have rewarding careers?
This stretches across much more than tourism of course and we need take steps now so that our young people leaving school have jobs to go to and careers to develop.
We’re exploring options with leaders from across Edinburgh’s employability and skills sector about what we can do as a City to best support the younger workforce and people who are disproportionately affected by the way Covid has hit our economy As part of this, we’re speaking to employers about expanding our Edinburgh Guarantee to create the training, education and job opportunities we need.
This crisis has shone a light on the health of our people and planet and, as we plan our recovery, we will also need to grapple with climate change, sustainability and accessibility. We made a commitment as a Council to be net zero carbon by 2030 and we must hold to that commitment.
During lockdown we implemented several measures to increase active travel, making it easier for people to walk and cycle around.
Things like pedestrianising streets, widening cycle paths and the new Waverley Masterplan to improve rail integration in our city – these are the types of actions with positive carbon impacts that can help Edinburgh to become a more people and environmentally friendly place to live. For now – and for the next 30 years.
There is a lot of work to be done, and we know that. But we also know that it can only be done together, working as one team Edinburgh to bring the city to a new glory, rather than returning it to its former one.
Edinburgh and its residents will bounce back, I have no doubt. We don’t have to sacrifice our long-term goals to do so and we can build a better Edinburgh for us all.
A survey of EIS union Reps in schools has confirmed that there is still a considerable amount of work to be done to ensure that schools are COVID-secure environments.
The EIS issued the survey last month following the re-opening of schools and received responses from almost 600 schools across the country.
Amongst the key issues of concern identified by school reps were:
92% of Reps reported no reductions in class sizes to enable effective physical distancing
30% of Reps reported that physical distancing between staff and pupils was not in place in their school
49% of Secondary school Reps reported no change to timetables or class groups to support physical distancing measures
10% of Reps reported that physical distancing between staff is not in place in their school
43% of Reps reported deficiencies in the delivery of agreed COVID mitigations in schools
31% of Reps reported that face coverings were not being worn where physical distancing was not possible
7% of Reps reported that teachers in more at-risk groups (such as those previously shielding, those who were pregnant, teachers from BAME groups) had not received support in requesting individual risk assessments to ensure their safety.
Commenting, EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said, “The results of our survey of school Reps make for worrying reading. While local authorities have taken numerous steps to make schools safer, there is still much to be done to ensure that all schools are as COVID-safe as they can possibly be.
“It is clear from the results of our survey that class groups are still too large to facilitate effective physical distancing measures, potentially placing staff and pupils alike at greater risk of COVID infection. While this is an issue in all schools, it is a particularly acute concern in the secondary sector where older pupils are at a greater risk of developing symptoms and of spreading the virus.”
Mr Flanagan added: “Teachers and pupils have a right to work in a safe and secure environment, so all possible steps must be taken to ensure that our schools are COVID-secure.
“The most effective means to ensure this is through physical distancing, which will require smaller classes and an increased number of teaching staff. Local authorities and the Scottish Government must act urgently to step up the deployment of the additional teaching staff required to ensure that all schools can operate safely in the weeks and months ahead.”
A copy of the report on the EIS national Reps’ survey is available here, for information.
It seems parents may be erring on the side of caution as over 100,000 pupils were marked absent from school last Friday, many suffering from cold-like symptoms.
Earlier this week national clinical director Dr Jason Leitch wrote an open letter to parents, offering advice and guidance on what parents and carers should do if their children are suffering from bugs and colds.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has reinstated coronavirus restrictions in Glasgow City, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire following a rise in cases. pic.twitter.com/OzmfBFdu90
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has reimposed restrictions in Glasgow City, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire following a rise in cases.
66 new positive tests have been recorded in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.
The news was announced at 6:15pm.
Following an increase in the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire, additional restrictions will be introduced for people living in these areas for an initial two week period.
From midnight (Tuesday 1 September), the restrictions are as follows:
people in the Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire local authority areas should not meet with people from other households in indoor household settings, whether in these areas or elsewhere. Members of different households can continue to meet outdoors, including in gardens, and in hospitality settings, provided all existing guidance is followed
if anyone living in these areas is identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, they and all those in their household group should self-isolate for 14 days
indoor visits to hospitals and care homes will be limited to essential visits only to protect the most vulnerable. Outdoor visits to care homes are permitted by three people from a maximum of two households, in line with current guidance.
Those households who have formed an extended household and people providing care and support – for example caring for an elderly family member or delivering shopping – can continue to meet indoors with enhanced hygiene measures in place.
People living in Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire who were previously shielding are asked to be particularly vigilant.
Schools and nurseries will remain open, and plans for the opening of colleges and universities remain in place.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The rise in new COVID-19 cases in all three of these local authority areas is of significant concern and these figures remind us all that the virus has not gone away. We are at a stage of this pandemic where we must all act with extreme caution.
“Following discussions with local public health officials and local authorities, it is necessary to ask people in Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire to limit their contact with other households.
“People living in these areas should not meet with other households in indoor household settings for at least two weeks, except where they are providing essential care and support, or have formed an extended household. People can continue to meet other households outside and in other settings but I would ask everyone to be extra vigilant, to follow all guidance and to isolate and book a test if they have any symptoms.
“Above all, I want to emphasise that getting a test – and even getting a negative result – is not a substitute for self-isolating. If you have symptoms, or if you are contacted by our Test and Protect team and told to do so, you will need to self-isolate.
“I understand this will not be welcome news for people living in Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire but it is necessary to help us limit the spread of COVID-19. Acting now gives us the time and the space to protect people and get more control over the virus.”
The current restrictions will be reviewed every seven days in discussion with local partners. The Scottish Government has not ruled out extending restrictions if necessary to protect public health.
Remember FACTS for a safer Scotland:
F – Face coverings. These should be used in shops and on public transport (buses, trains and taxis)
A – Avoid crowded places
C – Clean your hands frequently, using water & soap whenever possible
T – Two metres – observe physical distancing
S – Self-isolate and book a test if you are suffering from COVID-19 symptoms
A ‘virtual choir’ of ten blind and partially sighted people has recorded their own version of The Proclaimers iconic ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’, the chart-topping hit that became an instant classic of Scottish pop.
But this version [https://www.facebook.com/RNIB.Scotland/] has changed the lyrics to give a humorous take on the frustrations and difficulties that people with sight loss have experienced during lockdown.
Mike Holroyd, who brings the RNIB Scotland Connect Singers together over the phone, said: “When it comes to social distancing, too often sighted people think that others are being careless if they are getting too close to them. But the reality is that those who are blind or partially sighted can’t always fully see other people even when they are alongside.
“Singing has become an important pass-time during lockdown in many countries, and this has certainly been true for some of our members in Scotland.
“Our singers, who continue to meet over the phone each week, decided to write a song about some of the challenges they face as we emerge out of lockdown. They were all involved in writing and re-writing lines of the song until everyone was happy with the result.
“We asked Steven Johnson, an RNIB Scotland volunteer and himself a singer/song-writer, to record some guitar and vocals. We were then able to add piano and further vocals through sending audio-files backwards and forwards and even collecting some vocals via phone call.
“This has been a fun project. But it also highlights a serious issue. Many of us who are blind and partially sighted do not find social distancing easy, and so we will need the wider community to understand and maybe offer a bit of support if needed. We have heard stories of blind and partially sighted people being shouted at because they have not been aware of queues or been unable to judge distances. This song conveys a serious message in a light hearted way.
“The Proclaimers music publishers have been very generous in allowing us to borrow their tune for this song.”
The choir members come from Edinburgh, Stirling, Ayrshire and Glasgow.
