SCOTS comic Janey Godley's unique take on Nicola Sturgeon's coronavirus briefings has been featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal.
Godley's videos were a source of levity for many during the initial March 2020 lockdown and have continued throughout the year as we experience further restrictions across Scotland.
The Wall Street Journal - one of the largest newspaper titles in the US - were reporting on Scotland's fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s ME on the front page of the Wall Street Journal https://t.co/hFGlIwsuQG
— Janey Godley (@JaneyGodley) January 22, 2021
In the article, writer James Hookway suggests that Godley's videos may have had some effect on Scots take up of face coverings in public spaces compared to the US and England.
Hookway wrote: "Scotland, which revels in its image as a rebellious kind of place, has seen fewer of the problems authorities in England or the US have had in supermarkets and other public spaces. Opinion polls show strong support for [Nicola] Sturgeon's moves to lock down Scotland fast and hard when Covid cases rise.
"As a result, infection rates in Scotland have been roughly a third those of England."
He goes onto quote from national clinical director Jason Leitch who said last month that Godley's videos might have done "more for public health advice" than he had been able to throughout the pandemic.
“Nobody should be travelling unless you’ve built your own plane out of Balsa wood and flying it yourself” #janeygodleyvoiceover pic.twitter.com/XY01HDo8YC
— Janey Godley (@JaneyGodley) January 18, 2021
Hookway then quotes from a few Scots who say that they share them with friends to share a laugh or two and it helps them to remember to bring a mask and keep your distance.
Godley, who used to run a pub in the east end of Glasgow, said she tries to make the videos relatable to the people she used to serve by using Scottish phrases and idioms, cutting through all the science talk.
As well as being on the front page of the print edition of the Wall Street Journal, the article can be read online here.
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