AS STORM Alex blew into the county last Saturday, the lashing rain and roar of waves crashing over Dunbar Harbour wall made for an ominous atmosphere. As news broke of increasing coronavirus infections, one had a gnawing fear of what might lie ahead.

The news that our university campuses had become locked down, with students seeing their longed-for freedoms drastically removed, compounded the fear.

We are now informed that the ‘surprising lowering of positive Covid cases’ mooted last week was in fact another system failure. Far from indicating the virus was getting under control, in fact the spread is increasing.

Across the UK we have four governments each creating and financing their own systems, apps and rules. With the students, tourists and not least delivery drivers moving freely across the country, how can there be any control with four different approaches? The virus is not following any of the rules.

It all begs the question, who is in charge? In a recent survey published in scientific journal Plos One, public trust in the UK’s Covid-19 response has been ranked the lowest in Europe. Argument thrives when facts are scarce.

After the storm, last Sunday brought a clear sky. In a glorious celebration of hope, skein after skein of migrating pink-footed geese were seen flying in magnificent formations. They were faultlessly following the lead bird!

Surely there is a lesson here. Strong and clear leadership, confidence in following rules, equal sharing of pressure and responsibilities according to strength can ensure a safe and efficient outcome. We all need to know with confidence what the rules are. We need one, strong, clear message.

And for those of us itching to get away, fly to the sun, turn our back on our problems, take another clue from nature. The geese are not leaving, they are arriving. Like us, they are hoping for a safe winter in Scotland.