citizens, we all have a part to play and this has been true throughout the pandemic, in stemming transmission of the virus in general and let s not forget that while we are talking about nine cases of a new variant right now, 2500 cases of delta are still being recorded each day. suppressing transmission of it remains important but it is important to suppress and contain transmission of the new variant in particular. some of the protections that the uk government announced at the weekend in relation to england for example, a requirement to wear face coverings, are already in place and more extensive here in scotland. at this stage, rather than introducing new protections, we are asking people to significantly step up asking people to significantly step up and increase compliance with existing protection such as face coverings, hygiene, home working, ventilation, vaccination and regular testing. this enhanced compliance
given to already vaccinated healthy adults. there is no doubt vaccines have adults. there is no doubt vaccines have saved adults. there is no doubt vaccines have saved many lives and help to quell have saved many lives and help to quell the have saved many lives and help to quell the pandemic in many countries. countries that have achieved countries. countries that have achieved the highest vaccination rates achieved the highest vaccination rates are achieved the highest vaccination rates are now seeing a decoupling between rates are now seeing a decoupling between cases and deaths. but in many between cases and deaths. but in many countries and communities, the bright many countries and communities, the bright light many countries and communities, the bright light of vaccines has also become bright light of vaccines has also become a bright light of vaccines has also become a blinding light to the continued need for other tools to stop this continued need for
drawback, and if that means that fewer teenagers get this variant, which we understand to be highly trap missable. if they get it or a close contact of a pupil with this variant, this new variant, then they have to isolate for ten day, that is going to be incredibly disruptive to schooling, so surely, the best thing, we know that masks, suppress transmission of the virus, we know they are is second most effective way of suppressing transmission, so surely, if we want to keep children in school, if we want to keep teachers teaching them, we should take the necessary measures to actually achieve and secure and sustain schooling, we also need much better ventilation in schools as well, and that is something we have been calling for for a long time and for which the government s response has been inadequate. but my point is this, if you don t take the
secondary they year seven, children age 11 and above wore masks and we think that is a sensible move. if you delay the necessary measures, then the new variant takes hold, like the delta variant did. new variants will take hold any how but what you are trying to do but introducing measures, is slow the rate of transmission so that the hospitals aren t overwhelmed, so, something like, in secondary schools wearing a mask in a classroom, that isn t a big, that is not a big drawback, and if that means that fewer teenagers get this variant, which we understand to be highly transmissable. if they get it, or if there are close contact of, pupil with this variant, this new variant, then that i have to isolate for ten day, that is going to be incredibly disruptive to schooling, so surely, the best thing, we know that masks
wearing is being reintroduces in communal areas. wearing is being reintroduces in communalareas. in primary wearing is being reintroduces in communal areas. in primary school, when adults are meeting they will be wearing masks as well. we do wish the government had gone further, and in secondary schools mandated mask wearing in classrooms as weller because they are communal areas and area where they are often very crowded and where pupils and teachers spent most time. what crowded and where pupils and teachers spent most time. what about in rima teachers spent most time. what about in primary schools? teachers spent most time. what about in primary schools? we, teachers spent most time. what about in primary schools? we, we in primary schools? we, we understand in primary schools? we, we understand from in primary schools? we, we understand from the - in primary schools? we, we understand from the old - in primary schools? we, we - understand from the old variant that transmi