Every month I, and many like me, make a worrying trip to pathology to have my blood tested. I am one of the many who are immune compromised, and in my case I am on particularly strong medication, without which I am unable to walk. I also have an underlying life-threatening lung condition. In the words of my doctor ‘you don’t want to catch COVID-19!’.
Unfortunately, every month I have the same heated discussion in pathology (where only three are allowed in the small waiting room), with someone who refuses to wear a mask.
It starts with me asking why they are not wearing a mask. The answer is always the same – ‘I have an exemption’, to which I reply ‘that’s fine, but perhaps you should wait outside, as I and many others are vulnerable’. The response is again, always the same – ‘I am taking responsibility for my own health’. Last week I was told that being asked to sit outside was discrimination, and it was me who should wait outside.
It’s tough having serious medical conditions, both physically and mentally, and attitudes like this just leave me so disheartened with many in my community.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
