23   Yesterday the Scottish First Minister indicated that all areas may go to Level 0 next month, and that all restrictions may be lifted on 9 August. Similarly the Health Secretary for England indicated that there may be a lifting of social distancing and face covering requirements there on 19 July. Maybe the word […]

22   The Scottish Government has announced that changes will be made to the exams and assessment system in schools. What are your memories of the assessments and exams that you experienced at school? Was your experience at school a stepping stone to the career you wanted? Did you have to change your plans? Did

Sorry, some text was lost in transit, so here it is again, in full 21  With the rapid roll-out of vaccinations and data suggesting significant protection offered by two doses, the future looks hopeful. On the other hand, there is still transmission of the virus – including in some who have been vaccinated – and

21  With the rapid roll-out of vaccinations and data suggesting significant protection offered by two doses, the future looks hopeful. On the other hand, there is still transmission of the virus – including in some who have been vaccinated – and though the risk of it being fatal is believed to be much lower in

19  Nil-nil, the result of last night’s football match. Although no goals were scored, commentators (paid or ‘expert fans’) regard it as a Scottish victory, because they played a better game and were at an ‘away’ ground. Much as fans of any sport will enjoy a good game, well played, whoever wins, when it is

18  There was an attempt at a record-breaking run by the Royal Scot from London Euston to Glasgow Central yesterday, but it failed by 21 seconds. We may never have been anywhere near a world record or any other kind of record, but we can probably identify with missing something by a very narrow margin.

17   Yesterday Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin met in Geneva. Nothing startling came out of the meeting, nothing startling was expected to come out of the meeting. But at least they met and talked. Our circle of contacts does not usually include the leaders of world Powers, but often (usually? always?) includes people with

16   The Government’s Committee on Climate Change has issued a report warning of the need to prepare for the impact of climate change over the rest of the century – looking at issues such as flooding risk and rising average and peak temperatures. Some of us may take the line ‘well, I’ll not be

15 The media are full of comments about the easing/ending of Covid restrictions following the Prime Minister’s statement yesterday and the Scottish Clinical Director’s remarks. For most of us restrictions can be frustrating, though we have grown used to many of them, and we can feel uncomfortable if someone without a mask comes within 2m