The resurgence of coronavirus and the return of stay-at-home orders are devastating for us all, but we must never forget we now have hope like never before.

As I write this column, vaccines against Covid-19 are being administered across this country and in other parts of the world.

These jabs, which are over within seconds, will keep us safe for weeks, months and years to come, and offer a route out of this pandemic.

I know I’m not alone when I say I’m eagerly awaiting the call to tell me it’s my turn to roll up my sleeve and receive the vaccine.

But until the phone rings, it is vital that we all remain patient, and stay at home as much as we can to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.

The sacrifices made over these next few weeks – as hard as they will be – are crucial and will make all the difference.

And there is a difference between now, and the lockdown of last March.

As First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said: “The difference is that with the help of vaccines, we now have confidence that these sacrifices will pave the way to brighter days ahead.”

There is real hope that we may soon beat this awful virus.

Until then, please, stay at home, save lives, and protect the NHS.

SCALPING

Staying at home can be made easier by buying something that will help pass the time.

Games consoles, gym equipment, and everything in between can be useful in making the hours go by a little quicker.

However, some of you may have found it difficult to buy these items online.

Unfortunately, there is a growing network of individuals using bots to bulk-buy all available stocks of these items.

They then resell them at massively inflated prices, leaving everyone out of pocket while they trouser huge amounts of money.

The term for this is ‘scalping’ and a constituent recent contacted me to ask how this is legal.

I have had discussions with consumer protection experts and have raised this issue through parliamentary questions and lodging a motion for debate.

The law needs to be changed to ensure scalping is outlawed.

BREXIT

For all the hope that 2021 brings, Scotland being ripped out of the EU against our will will be a challenge for us all.

On January 1, the free movement of goods, services and people between the UK and the European Union came to an end.

That is one of the many horrendous consequences of Brexit, and the effect on local people and businesses will be profound.

Throughout this year, I will continue to make the voice of Dunfermline and West Fife heard.

We did not vote for this, and we do not want this. It’s well beyond time that Westminster recognises that.