Scottish Government's COVID-19 Briefings

About

The Scottish Government's COVID-19 Briefings refer to a series of televised health briefings by the Scottish Government as part of Scotland's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The briefings were headed by then Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon along with Scotland's National Clinical Director Jason Leitch and Scotland's Chief Medical Officer, Gregor Smith.

The briefings have became an important part to Scottish life over the course of 2020 and have gained praise and controversy and have became the subject of memes due to the gaffes, the bizarre questioning and the claims that have been presented towards the panel.

The briefings also contributed to the rise in support for Nicola Sturgeon in terms of approval ratings, the Scottish National Party ahead of the 2021 Scottish Parliament election and Scottish independence.

History

Origin

With the first case of COVID-19 being confirmed in Scotland in March 2020, the Scottish Government followed the UK Government on having daily briefings to let the public know the latest guidance on COVID-19 in Scotland.

The first recorded daily briefing was on March 12th, 2020, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman and former Chief Medical Officer Catherine Calderwood taking questions from the press.

Catherine Calderwood Controversy

In April 2020, it was revealed that the Chief Medical Officer Catherine Calderwood went and broke lockdown rules and was spotted at her second home.

After it was revealed, Catherine Calderwood apologised for what she did and later resigned from her post after being pressured by opposition parties and the media.

"Keep the Heid"

On one of the COVID-19 briefings, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon stated that all Scots should "keep the heid" in response to the pandemic. The phrase which is Scottish slang for "stay calm" was frequently used by those on Scottish Twitter.

BBC Scotland Broadcasting Controversy

Due to the rising popularity of the Scottish National Party (SNP), who the Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is leader of and rising support of Scottish independence during the COVID-19 briefings, the Scottish Labour Party and Scottish Conservatives called on the BBC to stop broadcasting the briefings claiming them to be "party political broadcasts".

The BBC responded that they were important public health messages but in September 2020, BBC Scotland revealed that they would stop broadcasting the briefings on terrestrial television despite over 300,000 people watching the briefings on the channels.

The BBC replaced the briefings on television with repeated episodes of Bargain Hunt with the first episode broadcasted in the place of the briefings, "The Battle of Britain" special, fuelling to the speculation that it was a deliberate move by the BBC.

This was immediately met with backlash from SNP and Scottish Green politicians and charities across Scotland such as Age Scotland and SDS who stated that the briefings were important to those who were older and disabled who might not have access to the briefings online.

Deaf charities in Scotland also criticised at the decision because although the Daily briefings were on radio and online, deaf people who tuned in to the briefings on television were met with a BSL reader.

Labour Lord George Foulkes and Labour MSP Jackie Baillie were said to influence the decision by BBC Scotland not to broadcast the briefings.

BBC Scotland stopping daily live coverage of Nicola Sturgeon's coronavirus briefings https://t.co/TQ2te4IlM5
Good to see BBCScotland</a> have taken account of representations from <a href="https://twitter.com/jackiebmsp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">jackiebmsp and me!

— George Foulkes (@GeorgeFoulkes) September 10, 2020

Shortly after, a petition was launched in response to the decision by BBC Scotland and gained over 50,000 signatures.

BBC Scotland later u-turned on their decision and the Daily briefings were reinstated on the BBC Scotland channels.

"Margaret Covid" Gaffe

On October 2nd and 5th, 2020, Nicola Sturgeon accidentally referred to Member of Parliament Margaret Ferrier as "Margaret Covid" in response to her being removed from the SNP whip after breaking lockdown restrictions.

"Jaffa Cake Is A Biscuit" Debate

On October 9th, 2020, an STV reporter asked Nicola Sturgeon about the new restrictions on cafes and restaurants and asked if they were in the same sense as a Jaffa Cake either being a cake or a biscuit.

Is defining a cafe like asking whether a Jaffa Cake is a biscuit?

FM @NicolaSturgeon stresses that any lack of clarity on cafes comes from trying to be flexible in balancing the impact on "lives and jobs"

Live updates: https://t.co/83xvctB6aO pic.twitter.com/Ja6zVHO0e2

— BBC Scotland News (@BBCScotlandNews) October 9, 2020

Nicola Sturgeon responded that the Jaffa Cake was 'definitely a biscuit' and jokingly responded by telling the reporter it must be the most controversial thing she has claimed.

Around about the time of that day's daily briefing, graffiti appeared in Glasgow underneath a motorway which said "Sturgeon Lied". After a few hours, extra graffiti was added on to the existing graffiti which poked fun at the Jaffa Cake debate featured with "Jaffa Cakes Aren't Biscuits" added to the existing graffiti in response to that day's briefing. (see below)

Central Belt Lockdown Controversy

On October 6th, 2020, Nicola Sturgeon announced further lockdown measures would be announced at the briefings due to the rise in cases of COVID-19 in Scotland.

The areas where it was the highest at the time of the announcements of stricter lockdown measures were in the Central Belt of Scotland. At the briefing and subsequently during a statement to the Scottish Parliament, Nicola Sturgeon outlined the new measures.

On October 9th, 2020, pubs and restaurants shut at 6pm in the Central Belt area of Scotland.

Reaction

A few business owners expressed anger and disappointment by the news, accusing the Scottish Government of 'damaging the hospitality industry'.

As part of the pub closures, a group of people went to George Square in Glasgow to chuck out ice that they wouldn't use over the 16 day circuit breaker, onto the street in front of the Glasgow City Council.

"You Gave Her A Swipe There" Gaffe

On October 28th, 2020, Peter A Smith, the Scotland Reporter for ITV News challenged Nicola Sturgeon on care homes and asked her why older people were sent into care homes in an aggressive tone. Nicola answered back to Peter in a stern tone.

After she finished answering Peter's question, Peter forgot to mute himself and his colleague from STV News was heard "You gave her a swipe there mate" which was heard on live TV and in the briefing room. (see below)

‘You gave her a bit of a swipe there, mate.’ pic.twitter.com/qbTaJABcTn

— Phantom Power (@PhantomPower14) October 28, 2020

Peter later apologised for not muting the microphone and Nicola Sturgeon told him "just to mute yourself again".

This gained significant backlash on social media shortly afterwards. Many urged ITV News, Peter A Smith and his colleague to apologise.

Alister Jack Comments

On January 30th, 2021, UK Government Secretary of State Alister Jack called for Nicola Sturgeon to be replaced at the briefings with medical workers. This gained significant backlash as independence supporters argued that the comments proved that the Conservative Party, which Alister Jack is part of, was running scared due to rising support independence but unionist supporters argued that the briefings were politicised.

Overall Reaction

Overall reaction to the briefings have been mixed. They have been praised by the Scottish public due to the informative information on the COVID-19 impact on Scotland and have been criticised by some for being "party political broadcasts".

Related Memes

Janey Godley Scottish Government Briefings Voiceovers

Scottish comedian Janey Godley started voicing over Nicola Sturgeon at the briefings, prompting millions of people to view her videos which were posted onto Facebook and Twitter. Godley voices Nicola Sturgeon in the parody daily briefing videos and puts a humourous tone to the briefings.

Scottish politicians praised Janey's performances during the COVID-19 briefings and also in the Scottish Parliament too.

Frank Get the Door!

Frank Get the Door! refers to a catchphrase often phrased by Janey Godley when dubbing over the briefings.

In almost all of the daily briefings she dubs over, when Nicola walks off, she calls on "Frank, Get the Door!", referring to an unseen fictional character, Frank, thought to be a security guard of the First Minister.

The phrase has become notable throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland through social media.

On October 16th, 2020, as part of the STV Children's Appeal, Nicola Sturgeon and Janey Godley recorded a sketch to raise money for the appeal which included Nicola Sturgeon saying "Frank, Get the Door" for the first time.

Halloween Dress-Up Parodies

On October 30th, 2020, a Twitter user posted a video of her son dressed up as Nicola Sturgeon urging people not to go out guising on Halloween. (see below)

Our 7 year old son asked to be Nicola for hallowe’en. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery after all NicolaSturgeon</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JaneyGodley?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">JaneyGodley #nicolasturgeon pic.twitter.com/Kbhp8z3yDB

— Alyson Welsh (@welsh_alyson) October 30, 2020

The video also included Janey Godley's "Frank get the door" line from Godley's parody videos. The video was later praised by both Nicola Sturgeon and Janey Godley.

Search Interest