Good Morning Scotland - Weekend
BBC Radio Scotland

At a time when Scotland's four art schools should have been holding their degree showcases, Glasgow School of Art is facing criticism from its home and overseas students.

The school will on Friday launch Graduate Showcase 2020, a digital platform for students' work that is designed to replace the live event cancelled because of the coronavirus lockdown.

But 70 students have sent a letter to the college expressing their concerns about its response to the pandemic, while a survey of 161 students from China found that three quarters are not happy with how it has handled the situation - and 94% felt they were being ignored.

Students union president Alessandro Marini tells BBC Scotland: "I remember on 16 March, when the school sent emails out to every student saying that the campus is going to close tomorrow, I had several students say they did not have a laptop or computer, I rely on the library and my dissertation is due on Friday and those students, they are being left behind."

Glasgow School of Art says it will respond to the student complaints within 20 days.

Watch the GSoA graduate showcase here on 29 May., external

Angie Brown
Edinburgh and East reporter

Image source, Adrienne Chaplin

Adrienne Chaplin says she has grown to enjoy going for her chemotherapy because it is the highlight of her fortnight since the lockdown restrictions began two months ago.

The 70-year-old now looks forward to her hospital trips for the uncomfortable cancer treatment because it means she can see hospital staff and other patients.

Shielding and living on her own in Edinburgh has meant Adrienne has been living in isolation away from friends and family.

"I normally dread chemo but now I look forward to it because I get to go out and to see people," she said.

"It gets me out of the house and the feeling of imprisonment."

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Scotland's care homes have recorded an increase of 61 cases of Covid-19 compared to the previous day.

There are now 484 (45%) homes that have had at least one current suspected case among residents during the last 14 days.

A total of 5,593 cases have been recorded in care homes, with 653 (60%) homes having lodged at least one notification for suspected Covid-19 to the Care Inspectorate since the start of the epidemic, with 481 reporting more than one case.

At present, 680 people have delayed in hospital after treatment, which is 932 less than the average.

This is the number of confirmed cases in each Scottish health board area, plus the number of people in hospital as of midnight, with the number in brackets those who are in intensive care.

• Ayrshire and Arran 1015, 21 in hospital (* in intensive care)
• Borders 322, 11 (*)
• Dumfries and Galloway 257, (*) (*)
• Fife 826, 69 (*)
• Forth Valley 915, 16 (*)
• Grampian 1223, 70 (*)
• Greater Glasgow and Clyde 3865, 379 (13)
• Highland 335, 10 (*)
• Lanarkshire 1922, 86 (6)
• Lothian 2649, 162 (10)
• Orkney 7 (*) (*)
• Shetland 54 (*) (*)
• Tayside 1645 13 (*)
• Eileanan Siar (Western Isles) 6 (*) (*)

* = less than 5

The latest Scottish Government release confirms 15,041 people have tested positive for Covid-19, an increase of 72 from yesterday.

1,305 patients are in hospital with a suspected or confirmed case (up 48), with 50 being treated in intensive care (no change).

3,540 people have been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for the virus since 5 March.

A further 16 people who tested positive have died, taking the total to 2,261 deaths in Scotland by that measure.

The Prime Minister's top aide, Dominic Cumming,s says he did the "right thing" by travelling 260 miles to be near relatives during the coranavirus lockdown - adding that he did not care what it looked like.

Mr Cummings is facing calls to quit over the journey, which he made when his wife had Covid-19 symptoms.

Downing Street said he wanted to ensure he had childcare if he got symptoms.

But Labour say that was not a satisfactory answer and many people would be angry at his actions.

Mr Cummings told reporters he "behaved reasonably and legally" when asked about the trip from London to Durham.

Off The Ball
BBC Radio Scotland

Image source, PA

Prof Jason Leitch, the Scottish government's national clinical director, is once again answering listeners' question on Off The Ball.

Q: When will I be able to get an antibody test?

A: One of the biggest changes over the past 10 days is that there is now a reliable antibody test. We have some in Scotland and we are using them for surveillance. The problem is we still don't know what it means.

If you have antibodies in your blood, it means you have created an immune response to the virus, but we don't know if it's lasting, or about the risks of you passing it on. Science will begin to answer those questions.

Q: On a scale of 1-10 (10 being definitely), how likely am I to see Status Quo at the Royal Concert Hall in November?

A: Four

Off The Ball
BBC Radio Scotland

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Prof Jason Leitch, the Scottish government's national clinical director, is once again answering listeners' question on Off The Ball.

Q: Can you catch the virus from someone vaping nearby?

A: We don't think so, but there is research being done. The person's droplets aren't reaching you through smoke is the considered view.

Q: What are the areas of route map advice that throw up the most questions?

A: The most questions this week were about travelling to visit family. We don't want everyone to rush out to Loch Lomond or Portobello Beach at the same time, so we set a distinction of local travel for leisure. For seeing your family we realise there is a greater reason, so there is no guideline. We are saying 'just try to be sensible'. We are not expecting huge journeys.

My parents live 13 miles away and, whether they like it or not, they will have to endure a visit from me in their garden when phase one begins.

Off The Ball
BBC Radio Scotland

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Prof Jason Leitch, the Scottish government's national clinical director, is once again answering listeners' questions of Off The Ball.

Q: When will a modest wedding in a registrar's office be able to take place?

A: The present plan for something like that is phase two. Hopefully, relatively soon after next weekend. It will be the same for funerals. In phase three, gatherings like that will be able to be expanded.

Q: Is there an issue with a shortage of blood in the NHS?

A: Giving blood is very commendable. Blood products are in good stock, but you can't store it for a long time, so regular donors should keep up their appointments. We have had to step back from the mobile vans that visit universities and places like that, so it does give us a bit of a challenge.

Off The Ball
BBC Radio Scotland

Image source, SNS

Prof Jason Leitch, the Scottish government's national clinical director, is once again answering listeners' question on Off The Ball.

Q: During which phase of the route map will I be able to cycle with my club mates?

A: Probably phase two, but we haven't specifically said what activities will be able to return. Just now, you are allowed out on your bike more than once a day and you are allowed out with your household. There will be more guidance to come next week.

We want people to be sensible, to protect all of those around them. That's why solitary things like angling and golf are poised to return first.

Q: How will professional sports return over the next phases?

A: There are no set dates attached to phase two and three, Some are assuming they will be three weeks apart, but that may not be the case. They may three weeks apart if everything goes well, but they may be six weeks apart.

Football and rugby have staged plans for a return, beginning with individual training outside, then group training... We would expect that to begin in phase two and that's still a long way from a competitive, professional match. Phase three might involve behind closed doors or small crowds.

Off The Ball
BBC Radio Scotland

Professor Jason Leitch, the Scottish government's national clinical director, is once again answering listeners' questions on Off The Ball.

Q: Is it possible for a player taking a corner kick at a gusty Gayfield (Arbroath's notoriously windy stadium) sneeze and infect spectators?

A: It's very, very unlikely. In a laboratory recreating those conditions, you might get some virus, but the virus doesn't travel well - and you need a decent amount to fall ill, which is why we talk about the risk of being within two metres for 15 minutes.

Q: As a church goer and choral singer, I'm worried about safe distances for singing and will football fans be discouraged from chanting at games when the action resumes?

A: We won't discourage singing once we go back to that size of gathering. The distances are not exact. It's a safety barrier and symptomatic people will be at home coughing and spluttering.

Good Morning Scotland - Weekend
BBC Radio Scotland

Image source, SNS

"People are pretty good at suffering for a cause," says Steve Reicher, a professor of psychology at St Andrews University.

He believes Scotland has responded well to lockdown measures so far but warns of the potential danger caused by "inadequate messaging" - which leads individuals to think "actually, there isn't really a problem any more".

"The prime minister gave the impression we were about to defeat the coronavirus and people started going out," Mr Reicher tells BBC Radio Scotland.

"The messaging has been far more skilful in Scotland, making it clear that a phased return is all contingent on us maintaining our vigilance in terms of hygiene and distancing."

Image source, PA Media

The Prime Minister's chief aide Dominic Cummings' trip from London to Durham with his sick wife to be near relatives during the coronavirus lockdown was "in line" with guidelines, says No 10.

A spokesman said it was "essential" for Mr Cummings to ensure he had childcare if he also developed Covid-19 symptoms.

The Durham police chief said it was "unwise" for Mr Cummings to travel.

The SNP have called for him to resign, while Labour asked for a "clear explanation" for his actions.

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Image source, SNS

A two-week quarantine period for people arriving in the UK will be enforced from 8 June.

The measures are being introduced to "keep the transmission rate down and prevent a devastating second wave", Home Secretary Priti Patel announced on Friday, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon saying earlier she was "wholly supportive" of the move.

But what are the new quarantine rules?

• People will have to provide an address where they will remain for 14 days and there will be a £100 fine for those not completing a "contact locator" form
• Those arriving in England could be fined up to £1,000 if they fail to self-isolate, while governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can also impose penalties
• People will be asked to drive in their own car to their destination, where possible
• If people don't provide an address, the government will arrange accommodation
• Going to work, school, or public areas, or using public transport or taxis will not be allowed. Visitors will only be permitted if they are providing essential support
• Exemptions will apply to road haulage and freight workers, medical staff, those arriving from the Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man, and seasonal agricultural workers

As has become tradition, Scotland's national clinical director, Prof Jason Leitch, will be answering your questions on Off The Ball from 12:30 BST.

Meanwhile, television host Lorraine Kelly will also be coming on just after 13.00 for a blether with Stuart Cosgrove and Tam Cowan.

Off The Ball is just about to start on BBC Radio Scotland.

Image source, SNS

Jeane Freeman has been urged to outline plans to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in frontline staff caused by dealing with the pandemic.

Scottish Labour’s health and social care spokeswoman, Monica Lennon, has raised her concerns on the impact of Covid-19 in a letter to the health secretary, saying it is taking an “unprecedented toll” on workers.

“I welcome actions that have been taken so far to provide additional support for both frontline staff and the population in general," she writes. “However, we cannot underestimate the impact on mental health of the strain which many frontline staff are currently experiencing.

“Fears and anxieties over PPE, long working hours and the emotional toll of working with sick patients and care home residents, many of whom will have died from this virus, is taking an unprecedented toll on frontline workers.

“We also know that the long-term impact of this strain can be significant and that many will be at risk of developing PTSD, which can present months or even years after the initial trauma."

Steven McKenzie
BBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporter

Image source, Paul Noble/SAIS Southern Cairngorms

Mountain rescuers and outdoors groups have appealed for patience from those itching to get back to the great outdoors.

People have been discouraged from visiting the Scottish hills since 21 March.

It has led to the longest period in almost 20 years without a mountain rescue incident.

Hillwalkers, climbers and snowsports enthusiasts have been praised for resisting the temptation to head to the hills and staying at home instead.

The lure of Scotland's upland areas has been strong during the lockdown.

But, for now, the hills are only accessible to those with them pretty much at their back door.

Read more

Good Morning Scotland - Weekend
BBC Radio Scotland

Image source, Kylesku Hotel

Scotland's hotels need a "clear timeline from when we can start to operate", says Tanja Lister, owner of the Kylesku Hotel in Sutherland.

With the Highlands so dependent on tourism, Ms Lister argues a target date for reopening is key, even if it is subject to change, to help avoid a "brewing disaster" for the economy.

A relaxation of restrictions on hotels, B&Bs and holiday homes is factored into phase three of the Scottish Government's route map (from 9 July at the earliest).

"If we miss the boat and people get the impression Scotland is closed for the summer, the staycations will book to go elsewhere," Ms Lister tells BBC Radio Scotland.

Image source, google

Seven Scottish hotels have ceased trading after a major UK travel firm went into administration.

About 2,500 jobs have been lost and 64,000 bookings cancelled with the collapse of Specialist Leisure Group.

The hotel and travel company included well-known coach holiday brands Shearings, Caledonian Travel and Wallace Arnold.

Travel body Abta said the firm had struggled to provide refunds for trips cancelled because of Covid-19.

Read more here.

Good Morning Scotland - Weekend
BBC Radio Scotland

Image source, SNS

The Scottish government will have to ensure a safety net for those in financial difficulties told to self-isolate once its new "Test and Support" system is up and running, a public health expert warns.

Prof Linda Bauld, of Edinburgh University, points out that the system will rely heavily on trusting the public - who will have to put themselves forward for testing if they have symptoms of Covid-19, as well as agreeing to self-isolate and reveal those with whom they have been in close contact.

"Close contacts will be identified by phone and advised they were in touch with someone who has tested positive or has symptoms. They will be asked to self-isolate and, if they develop symptoms, the process begins again," she tells BBC Radio Scotland.

"There will be people who will find it very difficult to do this and they will need support - not just advice but practical goods and services to get them through that period."