The First Minister has said world leaders have a “massive responsibility” over their public messaging on coronavirus, in the wake of comments from the US president.
Nicola Sturgeon said it was incumbent on world leaders to ensure they are listening to experts and understanding what outbreaks like Covid-19 – the illness caused by this strain of coronavirus.
Sturgeon was reacting on Twitter to comments made by President Donald Trump on Friday.
The president told journalists during a visit to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) he was not sure if he agreed with attempting to find hotbeds of the virus throughout the US, saying “you’ll find out those areas just by sitting back and waiting”.
He added: “But they’re trying to find out. Before you would normally find out by waiting.
“And, you know, I think that’s great.”
Taking to social media, the First Minister retweeted a transcript of the president’s comments, adding: “There’s a massive responsibility on all leaders at a time like this (I know I feel it acutely) to listen to the science, understand its implications, apply judgment, and ensure all of that is reflected in clear, consistent and responsible public messaging.”
Sturgeon’s pleas come as Scotland has just confirmed a further five cases of the virus since Friday, taking the total number to 16.
Lanarkshire experienced its first confirmed case since the start of the outbreak in Scotland on Sunday.
In the UK as a whole, 206 people have been confirmed to have contracted the virus.
Cases in Scotland and across the UK are expected to increase, with the UK Government preparing to enter the “delay” phase of its outbreak strategy.
During the same visit, President Trump took aim at one of his political opponents, Washington State Governer Jay Inslee – branding him “a snake”, according to the Associated Press.
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