Coronavirus round-up: Stay. Away. From. Each. Other.

Just like everyone else in Scotland, I thought I’d socially distance myself from other human beings by heading to the hills (with my dog Noodles) and getting away from it all.

So, I drove to the Whangie, parked my car on the road because the lot was full and tried to keep my distance from half the population of Glasgow as we made our way up the hill.

We were definitely doing it wrong – and rescue crews would agree.

Stern warning
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reminder everyone that social distancing “should not be considered optional” as she provided a mid-afternoon update on Sunday and updated the virus-related death tally to 10. Restaurants, pubs and gyms may be all be closed but she reminded people that doesn’t mean they should just take their bored selves elsewhere: “Beaches should not be busy, parks should not be full.”

‘Go home idiots’
You may be thinking it’s time to head to the hills (or the beach) – but the people who live there don’t really want to see you and your camper van right now. Scotland’s tourism secretary Fiona Hyslop asked that tourists stay away from the Highland and Islands, while Judy Murray took a more aggressive approach by tweeting a picture of a car and a trailer with “go home idiots” spray painted on the side.

Transit options reduced
You’re not supposed to be going anywhere – and Scotland’s transport companies are going to make sure you don’t. Bus and rail companies are scaling back their timetables as of Monday because of staffing shortages and reduced demand. McGill’s Buses said reducing routes would help protect jobs, while ScotRail and Network Rail said it needed to adjust as well.

Corporate helpers
Leaders step up to lead in times of crisis – and some local businesses are taking their place in the community to new heights. Arran Sense of Scotland’s signature soap produced 15,000 bars of soap for the island’s residents with the goal of distributing five per household and partnered with Visit Arran to deliver bars to schools and nurseries. Meanwhile, Celtic’s charity foundation said it would spend £150,000 to feed approximately 250 people every day at Celtic Park. The Co-Op said it donate $1.5 million worth of food to FareShare to help those in need.

In other hopeful news…

A Robert Burns-inspired poem about the coronavirus is a hit in a care home.
Something called the #teabagvolleychallenge was started by Hibs footballer Siobhan Hunter.
Something called the #teabagvolleychallenge was started by Hibs footballer Siobhan Hunter.
The supply of protective gear is expected to get better soon.
Supermarkets have plenty of food.