Disability rights campaigner says disabled will once again suffer most if a second wave hits

By Owen Sheppard, Local Democracy Reporter

A disability rights campaigner has warned that vulnerable residents will suffer most if people’s failure to social distance causes a second wave of coronavirus.

Richard West, pictured above, has spent the lockdown in his tower block flat in Westbourne Park Road, caring for his disabled partner and receiving food packages from Westminster council.

He accepted an MBE from the Queen in 2013 for his time advising Government departments on how to improve public services for people with learning disabilities, and for years of charity work in the field.

The Government wrote to the 56-year-old in March, informing him that he must shield because of his underlying conditions – diabetes and kidney disease.

He also has a speech impairment, partial deafness and relies on a wheelchair following a severe stroke four years ago.

As someone who is all too aware of what the lockdown can mean for vulnerable people, Mr West feels “weary” of the virus spreading again.

He said: “When the restaurants and bars are open I don’t think the social distancing is working, and people are more likely to get the virus again.

“It’s happening right now. That’s why Leicester went into lockdown again.”

“If social distancing isn’t happening and there’s an increase of people infected with the virus, it will be worse for disabled people. Really it’s not fair for us.

“Why should we pick up the pieces for other people getting infected?

“I’m very weary of restaurants, pubs and bars. I have to stay away. It feels totally unfair on us when you look at news clips on what’s happening around the world.”

But Mr West hopes that people’s goodwill and new found awareness will continue.

And his advice to everyone else, if things do get worse: He said: “If you know a disabled person living near you, just try and find out what their needs are, try and help them, and treat them with respect.”