"Freedom for who? It's not for people like me" - vulnerable people are worried for 'Freedom Day'

As restrictions are set to be eased on so-called 'Freedom Day' on Monday 19th July, people who are clinically extremely vulnerable are telling us they'll be heading back into isolation.

It comes as government guidance will advise that those who are vulnerable should avoid other people who aren't vaccinated and continue to meet outdoors where possible.

Boris Johnson also announced last night that mask wearing will no longer be a legal requirement from Monday.

Lorna, from Wigan, has ME - a condition brought on after catching a virus - as well as other chronic illnesses. She's vulnerable and will be shielding again when the restrictions are lifted.

She told us it feels terrifying:

"How do we know if people are vaccinated? How do we know who to avoid? Are we meant to avoid all indoor spaces forever?

"It's as if the Government has considered how it affects vulnerable people but they just don't care.

"It's very easy to tell vulnerable and disabled people to avoid every day life if you believe we don't have jobs, children and friends and family like everyone else.

"There's an assumption that vulnerable people don't have lives or responsibilities so we can easily stay at home - but what if we work in a restaurant or a school or a drive a taxi for example?

"It also tells me they're really happy for us to remain isolated and that stings because everybody now has had experience of being in lockdown and being stuck in their houses. They know how hard it is but they're so happy for so many of us to go back to that to get back their perceived freedoms.

"It's cruel to treat us this way. Sick and disabled people have already spent the last 15 months being told that our lives matter less. We aren't considered valuable members of society, that out needs don't matter - and this recent development just really hammers it home.

"It's heartbreaking."

Someone is considered extremely clinically vulnerable if you are thought to be at very high risk of serious illness if you caught Covid-19.

Lorna said there's a perception that only the elderly are considered vulnerable:

"I feel that society has a narrow view of what a vulnerable person is but it's young people, children, young professionals, mothers fathers and people who do have value.

"We have lives and responsibilities - how are we supposed to keep ourselves safe now?"

She's also warning people of the reality of long covid.

"I recently caught a cold, it wasn't Covid but it rendered me bed bound for two weeks.

"No one is considering the fact that a virus can do this to people who are already sick.

"You could catch a virus, you might not die or even be hospitalised, but it could leave you permanently disabled - that's how I became disabled."

Lorna is cared for by her mum and husband and is worried about how people who have carers are going to be protected:

"I wonder if the Government have stopped to consider that many sick and disabled people rely on carers who come in from the outside.

"Carers who take buses, taxis, trains to get to these people's houses.

"How are they supposed to feel knowing these people will be coming into their homes using public transport when no one will be wearing masks, no one will be distancing.

"They have no choice in the matter. They rely on these carers for everything.

"Has anyone stopped to think about them and how unsafe they'll feel?"

There are also many vulnerable people who can't get the vaccine.

Charlie, from Bedford, is one of them. She has Crohn's Disease and is on medication which affects her immune system. She's also four weeks pregnant. She said:

"I'm a teacher and have decided to take time off and taking a year out until I can get a double dose of the vaccine because I don't want to be around a big bunch of people especially when we're heading into winter when I fear it's going to be an issue again.

"I just think it's not right that the Government have stated that vulnerable people should just stay at home and only meet up with people that they know are safe. That is alienating a large proportion of the population.

"I really feel like some things should be kept in place like masks in shops."

Broadcaster and Disability Rights Campaigner, Samantha Renke, told us she's not surprised by the news.

She said: "Those labelled as vulnerable to Covid, myself included, have spent the best part of 18 months shielding.

"I've barely been leaving my home - only for emergencies, hospital appointments and the odd work commitment in a controlled environment.

"It's been a narrative throughout the pandemic that those who are most susceptible to Covid are those who have to make the biggest sacrifices and I fear that many will, once again, go without care, provisions, food. And they will once again be marginalised and pushed further into a life that is isolated and lonely.

"To me it's unacceptable."

Gem Turner is also clinically extremely vulnerable

As a self-confessed extrovert, she's been enjoying getting out of her home of West Yorkshire and seeing people again as enough restrictions have been in place for her to feel safe. But she told us she'll be staying in from Monday:

"It's really disappointing to hear the latest news.

"First of all, how do you know who's been vaccinated? Literally not got a clue. Second of all it's really unrealistic to ask.

"Honestly, I feel like the phrase freedom day is being whacked out and actually for a lot of us, it's the exact opposite.

"I don't know what my summer's going to look like but it's definitely not freedom!"

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