Carers and disabled campaigners raise fears about relaxing Covid restrictions
campaigners and unpaid carers are demanding clarity from the Scottish Government over moves to relax Covid restrictions despite rising case numbers, stating the risk to their lives and those of their families is not one worth taking.
More than 80 representatives of disability groups, disabled individualswhothosecarefora vulnerable person have signed a letter asking for support after months of “sacrifice”, claiming they are now in a position of having to impose their own restrictions “or even return to shielding”ascovidregulations and guidance are eased.
In the letter, published in full below, they say the announcement by the UK government “thatwewillallneedto‘livewith Covid’" had left them “shaken” and fearing for the loss of more lives.
"It has illustrated whose lives matterandwhoisdispensable,” they write. "Whilst these decisionsapplytoengland,theywill have direct and indirect consequences for Scotland, particularlyduringtheholidayperiod.”
“We are a group of disabled people, those with pre-existing health conditions, unpaid carers and equality organisation representatives and we strongdisabled
ly oppose the UK government’s approach. We seek clarity from the Scottish Government on its current response, along with evidence-basedactiontoensure thesafetyandqualityoflifeofall in the face of such a drastic rise in Covid-19 cases.”
They add: “The Scottish Government has repeatedly stated its commitment to a human rights-based approach, but the decisions being taken, and the apparent inaction as Covid-19
cases rise, undermines this commitment to those with pre-existing conditions, disabled people and those caring for them.
“We appreciate that people are desperate to return to “normal”, but normal was already not working for huge numbers of Scotland’s population. We want to see Covid-19 controlled as far as possible, so we can live ahealthyandsafelifelong-term, rather than the inevitable peak in cases, return to lockdowns and the overwhelming of our healthcare system and other public services.
“We do not want to see more peoplebeinglosttothisdangerous virus.”
Signatories to the letter, 83 per cent of whom are women, include 32 unpaid carers along withchiefexecutivesofoneparentfamiliesscotland,inclusion Scotland, Glasgow Disability Alliance, Disability Equality Scotland, Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland as well as directors of Carers Scotland, Coalition of Carers in Scotland, the Poverty Alliance, and the chair of the Scottish Independent Living Coalition.
A Scottish government spokesperson said: “The Chief Medical Officer will be writing to everyone who is on the highest risk list soon with advice about what moving to Level0andbeyondwillmeanfor them.
“There remains a significant group of people at highest risk from Covid-19 who have not yet had both doses of the vaccine. We would encourage all those who are able to, to get vaccinated as soon as possible, though we understand there are some people whose health condition oragepreventthemfromdoing so.”
this can never happen again. The slower our response to the recent, drastic, increases in Covid19 cases, the greater the risk of a variant which undoes the good work behind the vaccination programme.
There are thousands now whose life will be purely focused on survival with the trauma that this brings. The Scottish government has repeatedly stated its commitment to a human rights-based approach, but the decisions being taken, and the apparent inaction as Covid19 cases rise, undermines this commitment to those with pre-existing conditions, disabled people and those caring for them.
We are therefore writing to our government, to our political leaders, openly to the scientific community, and others in power to ask:
• Are we still pursuing a zero Covid strategy? If not, what is the scientific evidence we are following? If so, what measures will be put in place to get us back on track?
• How are we going to respond to the inequalities which will become more entrenched if we are indeed to live with Covid?
We appreciate that people are desperate to return to “normal”, but normal was already not working for huge numbers of Scotland’s population. We want to see
Covid19 controlled as far as possible, so we can live a healthy and safe life longterm, rather than the inevitable peak in cases, return to lockdowns and the overwhelming of our healthcare system and other public services.
We do not want to see more people being lost to this dangerous virus.
Many of us are taking decisions to impose our own restrictions or even return to shielding with the current case numbers. This is unacceptable and is an illustration of how certain communities and groups of people in Scotland are being overlooked. The sacrifices of far too many people must
matter. The lives lost must count. Let’s work together to make things better.
For the full list of signatories go to Scotsman.com