Scottish Government's arresting Covid-19 public health advert uses green slime to demonstrate potential spread

A new public health advert warning Scots of the dangers of coronavirus has attracted mixed reviews online after using green slime to demonstrate the potential spread of the pandemic.

The advert, which aired on the Scottish Government's Twitter page last week, shows a young woman accidentally infecting her grandfather while visiting the latter's home.

Using green slime to document how coronavirus can be transmitted, the footage reveals how easily infection is spread via our hands and respiratory droplets.

In the clip, the young woman hugs her grandad and makes him a cup of tea while spreading coronavirus on everything she touches, including the cups, kettle and cupboards.

At the end of the video, a message reads "don't pass coronavirus to those you love" and reminds people of the existing rules on social distancing and mixing with people from other households.

The arresting advert has attracted praise from some quarters, with one Twitter user suggesting it "shows just how quickly and easily this Covid-19 is spread".

Others praised Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the country's other officials for the public health warning.

"This is how it’s done!!!!! ... How lucky the Scots are to have such caring people looking after their well-being," one Twitter user posted.

Another added: "[The] Scottish advert really hit the point."

But several Twitter users meanwhile slammed the advert, suggesting it amounted to "scaremongering" and was "demonising normal human interactions with family".

"This is horrible - people are scared enough - you are pushing folks towards the edge," wrote one.

Another added: "The government scaremongering needs to stop NOW and common sense and proportionality resumed!"

The furore came as it emerged on Thursday that Ms Sturgeon has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling for urgent four-nation talks to tighten lockdown restrictions to tackle the spread of coronavirus.

The First Minister has pointed to scientific opinion that bringing the virus back under control will require measures beyond those announced so far.

She also highlighted that devolved administrations’ ability to take action is curtailed by a lack of financial levers to deliver economic support.

Ms Sturgeon wrote: “The collective agreement yesterday of the four nations to drive Covid transmission to the lowest possible level and keep it there was particularly welcome.

“However, I am sure you will agree that we must all now act in a manner that can achieve that objective.

“While all four governments announced new restrictions yesterday, there is clearly a significant strand of scientific opinion to the effect that bringing R back below 1 and the virus back under control will require measures beyond those which any of us have so far announced.

“In my view, there is considerable force in that opinion.

“It is also the case – and we know this from our experience earlier this year – that acting quickly and decisively against the virus is essential.

“In other words, if we believe further action will be required there is nothing to be gained – and potentially much to be lost, including lives – from delay.

“Therefore, I am writing to request further four nations discussions on three inter-related questions.”

Ms Sturgeon this week announced a 10pm curfew for hospitality venues and the extension of restrictions on household interaction across Scotland, which has recorded 25,495 coronavirus infections to date.

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