The head of an Angus support group for people with respiratory health problems has spoken of how he dreads contracting coronavirus.
Ian Baxter, 71, chairman of Forfar Airways, has pleaded with the public to follow the advice of health officials and continue to wash their hands to help save the lives of people suffering from underlying health issues.
Forfar Airways, which supports people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), has cancelled all their meetings as well as their rehab sessions with NHS Tayside.
Ian, who was diagnosed with bronchitis in 2004, said: “On advice we were told that all pulmonary groups should postpone future meetings.
“The group is fairly elderly, from 60 up to late 80s and it’s the last thing we need. I’m very very concerned of being out and about. I try and avoid crowds of any kind.
“Any time I go shopping I come home and wash my hands. It’s constantly in my mind to wash my hands. We all dread getting it.
“We’re very aware of it and very concerned about it. What we dread about getting the condition is that if any of us get it there’s 28 of us who could get it.
“We have to do what we’re told – to avoid crowds as much as possible and every opportunity wash our hands – if we’re outside for a minute wash our hands.”
Forfar Airways have also been forced to cancel a trip to see The Lion King in Edinburgh after spending around £1,300 on tickets.
Ian was speaking out as he backed a new Chest Heart Stroke Scotland campaign urging people to use their smartphones to help save lives.
Chief Executive of Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, Jane-Claire Judson, said: “Most of us in Scotland have a smartphone.
“Now is the opportunity for us all to use this technology to help save lives. We want to build an online community that helps the most vulnerable people with this outbreak.
“With our ‘Scotland Against coronavirus’ campaign we want to build a mass movement of people ready to share vital information with their networks and show their support to people on the frontline of the fight against this disease.
“People with long term health problems like chest, heart and stroke conditions are at high risk of complications with coronavirus. Together we can fight coronavirus in Scotland.
“We won’t let it stop our mission to make sure that no life is half lived in Scotland.”
To join the campaign visit www.chss.org.uk/coranavirus
