As reported in Disability Horizons, the coronavirus has brought aspects of health and safety into the view for many citizens who had never had to be particularly considerate or careful before. For many members of the disabled community though, questions about germs, access, and vulnerability are already well known. Only now is the whole world on board and becoming educated about the distance and caution many members of the community already lived by. However, as rules were eased and governments try to put society back into place, many folks in the community are well aware that the threat isn’t over. While many of us are eager to get back to salons and coffee dates and escape economic catastrophe, it comes at the expense of the chronically ill community feeling acknowledged, safe, and cared for.
The UK’s Response to Coronavirus
The UK was originally one of the most lenient countries when it came to restrictions, opting to stay open. As the pandemic continued though, they followed suit with the rest of the world and halted social life. However, as of July, restrictions are changing with the reopening of many restaurants, pubs, museums, and salons, as well as permission to see groups of six outdoors.
While countries may want to move on, there’s no manual on how to make things work from here. One respondent wrote,
“It feels like the support is being removed too quickly without a proper structure. It will become very tricky for some people to cope with day-to-day life without having to go out.”
While restrictions ease, threat levels remain, and for people with disabilities, the virus may be way more frightening if it interacts with their disease.
Anxiety for the Chronic Illness Community
In the survey, patient respondents confirmed that the majority firmly think England’s quick effort to get society up and running again is too much too soon. A major theme was that too many blanket restrictions and health programs were being removed without consideration of the many citizens who will continue to need government and social support to allow them to continue to isolate because of heightened risk. Others report that they would feel more comfort easing into lesser restrictions themselves if they felt that others were also being conscientious. However, with many people not wearing masks or keeping distance, they don’t feel they can trust their safety.
Some patients complain about the return to work date set for August 1st, pushing them back into the germ pool they’ve spent the last four months working so hard to avoid. One respondent told Disability Horizons,
“I’m being pushed back into work because my employer thinks it is now safe. I work for a charity in a hospital where I’d have to wear full PPE to see patients!”
Talk it Over With Your Employer
Other disabled patients are concerned by the termination of government programs that helped them stay at home by providing free delivery of food and medicines. However, the NHS Volunteer Responders and special supermarket slots for those at heightened risk are still an option.
