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Helen Smkth
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on equalities and human rights
How have groups of people been affected by the virus?
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Shielding people, especially those with life threatening illnesses like Cancer who have had their screening and review appointments cancelled because they have other conditions relevant to Shielding eg on immunosuppresant drugs. Other less important hospital appointments can wait but Cancer waits for no one.
Professional clinical aromatherapist /massage therapists, whose training is equivalent to a first year medical student in physiology, biology and hygiene management have been affected by the conditions applied to them. Many have had meagre financial assistance and will simply fold their businesses, especially those with home based businesses. Many elderly and those with pain derive considerable benefits from treatments as do Cancer Centre patients. Many people are now suffering from anxiety and mental health problems and these therapies are invaluable in such situations.
Professional clinical aromatherapist /massage therapists, whose training is equivalent to a first year medical student in physiology, biology and hygiene management have been affected by the conditions applied to them. Many have had meagre financial assistance and will simply fold their businesses, especially those with home based businesses. Many elderly and those with pain derive considerable benefits from treatments as do Cancer Centre patients. Many people are now suffering from anxiety and mental health problems and these therapies are invaluable in such situations.
Which groups have been disproportionately affected by the virus and the response to it?
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School children, especially since we now learn that they are unlikely to spread this disease. Many have lost out on their transition experience from P7 to High School. Not the end of the world but nevertheless an experience such as a Prom is something to be cherished and remembered. Teaching through GLOW has actually been excellent and quite enjoyable for them. This has achieved some level of cantact with friends and teachers while keeping them in the loop with regular Assembly.
Have there been specific equality or human rights impacts on groups of people as a response to the virus?
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I am afraid the UK Government treated those in the beauty/wellbeing industry with distain as we have seen in Commons Questions. But The Lords were more empathic in their support of this industry as seen in Committee.
The Scottish Government has dithered on this front too, to a lesser degree. Professional Governing bodies have been at a loss to obtain adequate advice North and South of the Border and generally felt at a loss to know what advice to give these professionals. One wonders how osteopaths and physiotherapists, which are close contact, are coping.
I know of many who will have to seek other employment in the wake of this. The lack of finance and the additional cost of PPE making it unsustainable.
The disabled need to be supported more in relation to non mask wearing if that is their choice instead of being ostrasized by the general public, some of whom are policing people. I comforted one old lady in the supermarket who chose not to wear a mask. Her two daughters pointed me out as I don't wear one. She poured out her medical conditions to me and I assured her that if anyone pursued those with her or judged her, then she should simply phone the police. I also informed her that fear and anxiety was a suppressor of the immune system. Some people simply need the extra reassurance that a compassionate government and public can give in these difficult times.
The Scottish Government has dithered on this front too, to a lesser degree. Professional Governing bodies have been at a loss to obtain adequate advice North and South of the Border and generally felt at a loss to know what advice to give these professionals. One wonders how osteopaths and physiotherapists, which are close contact, are coping.
I know of many who will have to seek other employment in the wake of this. The lack of finance and the additional cost of PPE making it unsustainable.
The disabled need to be supported more in relation to non mask wearing if that is their choice instead of being ostrasized by the general public, some of whom are policing people. I comforted one old lady in the supermarket who chose not to wear a mask. Her two daughters pointed me out as I don't wear one. She poured out her medical conditions to me and I assured her that if anyone pursued those with her or judged her, then she should simply phone the police. I also informed her that fear and anxiety was a suppressor of the immune system. Some people simply need the extra reassurance that a compassionate government and public can give in these difficult times.
What do the Scottish Government and public authorities (e.g. local authorities, health boards etc.) need to change or improve as a matter of urgency?
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Adequate dental service appointments, particularly for those suffering very acute pain due to infections etc. Too many instances of people suffering for too long.
GP surgeries have been excellent responders in non COVID matters but there have been instances where GPs have not visited for acute illnesses which may have been COVID related. The Symptom App, run by ZOE and King's College, and I understand supported by the Scottish Government, lists 6 presentations and 19 symptoms of the virus. I can think of people who should have been visited by a GP.
Local authorities need to address the discarded masks and other rubbish lying around or provide biohazard bins. With so many people ordering online and take away food there are huge swathes of plastic and CARDBOARD to be disposed off.
GP surgeries have been excellent responders in non COVID matters but there have been instances where GPs have not visited for acute illnesses which may have been COVID related. The Symptom App, run by ZOE and King's College, and I understand supported by the Scottish Government, lists 6 presentations and 19 symptoms of the virus. I can think of people who should have been visited by a GP.
Local authorities need to address the discarded masks and other rubbish lying around or provide biohazard bins. With so many people ordering online and take away food there are huge swathes of plastic and CARDBOARD to be disposed off.
What do the Scottish Government and public authorities need to change or improve in the medium to long term?
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I think to concentrate on good news would be a start. Despite pockets of infection, to what extent are these resulting in death and in what categories of the public in respect of age, underlying health conditions etc. Too much fear is being generated when, generally, the virus appears to be flatlining, according to the Symptom App at any rate. Surely increased testing and tracking is picking up more infections which is a good thing, which government should be pointing out.