Country can draw 'strength and inspiration' from World War 2 generation as it faces Covid-19 coronavirus crisis, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says
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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has paid tribute to the “bravery, dedication and idealism” of the World War 2 generation on the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
During her daily Covid-19 briefing the First Minister started by saying that, though the struggle that was won 75 years ago today is different from the one facing us now, the country could “draw strength and inspiration from their example.”
She said: “On this 70th anniversary of VE Day, Scotland remembers all those who lost their lives during the conflict.
"We think of all the men and women who served at home and abroad and, in doing so, we consider and give gratitude for the incredible legacy of the World War 2 generation.
“Their sacrifices ensured the freedoms that we enjoy today and the challenge is of course very, very different to the one we face today. We are not fighting a war, but we should nevertheless draw strength and inspiration from their example.
“They showed the necessity and the value of personal sacrifice for the common good. They demonstrated the resilience of the human spirit and our ability to overcome adversity so, as we pay tribute to them for the bravery, dedication and idealism that they showed 75 years ago, let's also thank them for the inspiration they give us today.
“Our challenge may be different but, just as they did then, we will overcome it."
On other matters Ms Sturgeon also said that discussions between the devolved nations and the UK government yesterday had included "helpful recognition" that different parts of the UK could move differently on easing lockdown, depending on what data suggests about local infection rates and risks.
“But we would of course continue to co-ordinate our planning and our messaging as far as possible, and I think that is helpful and to be welcomed," she added.
She said the Scottish Government was "considering" a change to the guidance on outdoor exercise, with a further update to come over the weekend.
But she added: “For now my message to you remains the same – you must stay at home, please stay at home.
"Except for essential purposes such as exercise or for buying food or medicines you should not be going out.”
She also spoke about Scotland's testing capacity.
“Since I updated you this time last week on testing, capacity within the national service has risen by more than 2000 and, together with the capacity from the Lighthouse laboratory at Glasgow University, that brings Scotland's testing capacity now to over 10,000 tests per day," she said.
“And we expect that number to exceed 12,000 tests per day by this time next week – and we should remember that we started at the outset of this coronavirus outbreak with a capacity of 350."
Related article: Number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in NHS Highland area increases by four to 317
