YOUNGSTERS from Dunbar have put their questions about the coronavirus directly to Scotland’s First Minister.

Nicola Sturgeon took part in an online question and answer session for children, with a dozen youngsters from across the country given the chance to ask a question about the global pandemic in a video released on Tuesday.

Among them were Ember Quinn, Nuala Coates Auden, Millie Holland and Jasper Allison, all from Dunbar Primary School.

Parent Club – an online information and support hub for parents in Scotland – invited children to submit their questions to the First Minister.

Five-year-old Ember, 10-year-old Nuala, 11-year-old Millie and six-year-old Jasper asked, ‘How did the coronavirus start?’, ‘What can I do to stop the coronavirus?’, ‘Do you think the schools will reopen again before the start of next term?’ and ‘Can you give the homeless people a house while the coronavirus is here?’

Addressing these questions alongside others including – ‘How does coronavirus spread?’, ‘Why can I not see my granny?’ and ‘When can I see my friends again?’ – the First Minister spoke about the need for proper hand washing frequently, the symptoms to be aware of and explained the importance of staying home, minimising contact with other people and thanked families across the country for everything being done to help stop the spread of the virus.

Said Ms Sturgeon: “We have introduced lots of changes to try and limit the spread of the virus and children across the country are having to accept a very different way of life right now, without much time to understand why.

“I know that some will be thinking it’s scary and I understand that.

“We want to help them at this difficult time by reassuring them that it’s okay to be feeling this way and to answer some of the key questions they have.

“It was a very important Q&A for me and I did my best to give them all the answers they need in simple terms.”