What do we need to see in Scottish parties’ manifestos for the 2026 elections to finally address the Covid crisis?

When? 19 July – Time: 4-5.30

Where? On Zoom – please register here https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/w2NcVkxvS6yVR0ksX2V99Q

Why?

Since 2023, political parties across Scotland have been pretending that Covid is over. As a result, there are no measures to protect anybody from infection – not even in hospitals and care homes. Ever fewer people can get a Covid vaccine on the NHS – not even people who are at particularly high clinical risk or pregnant are now eligible, even though health, including vaccination, is devolved.

As people continue to get re-infected with Covid, the number of people suffering from Long Covid and organ damage linked to infections keeps growing, people suffer more and worse viral and bacterial infections as a result of Covid compromising the immune system, and the NHS continues to struggle with higher levels of staff sickness as well as more patients needing help. At the same time, treatment and support for people with Long Covid is all but non-existent in Scotland. This situation will keep getting worse, unless policy makers act!

Agenda for the meeting:
This will be an interactive meeting. We will share and discuss what our key asks should be of Scotland’s political parties before they have finalised their 2026 election manifestos.

We will break into small groups to discuss different topics in more detail, including access to Covid vaccines, the need to mitigate against airborne infections in health and social care, clean air (including in schools), and guidance around testing and staying away from people while infected.

Share your thoughts with us beforehand:
We welcome any ideas for “asks” of political parties ahead of, as well as during the event. You might like to email them to us at zerocovidscotland[at]gmail.com