Coronavirus crisis exacts toll on people with disabilities

[Mike 03]

Lindsay Whitehurst
Associated Press via KSAT
Published: May 6, 2020, 9:02 am

SALT LAKE CITY – Even before the coronavirus hit, cystic fibrosis meant a cold could put Jacob Hansen in the hospital for weeks. He relies on hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes to stay healthy because he also has cerebral palsy and can't easily wash his hands from his wheelchair, but these days shelves are often bare.

For millions of disabled people and their families, the coronavirus crisis has piled on new difficulties and ramped up those that already existed. Many are immunocompromised and therefore more vulnerable to infection, but terrified of new coronavirus-era hospital guidelines they fear could put them at risk.

The leader of the U.N. said Wednesday the 1 billion people living with disabilities around the world have been among the hardest-hit by the virus. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for them to have equal access to prevention and treatment of COVID-19 as the pandemic exposes and intensified global inequalities.

In the U.S., a number of states are moving toward reopening businesses shuttered by the virus, but many people with disabilities are staying behind closed doors, worried that more interaction could lead to a wave of new infections.

“It’s honestly kind of scary, with my disability even the common sniffles could put me in the hospital,” said Hansen, who usually likes volunteering at the library and rubbing shoulders with superheros at Comic-Con.

Read the story here: https://www.ksat.com/health/2020/05/06/coronavirus-crisis-exacts-toll-on-people-with-disabilities/

[CountAllVotes]

1. As a disabled American, I have found little to no help during these times

I tried the Instacart thing but the 40% mark-up you end up paying is simply not affordable for me or for that matter, most people I know disabled or not.

I tried the Area on Aging as I am over the age of 60; husband over the age of 80 and an honorably discharged veteran that is almost blind.

Still no help for either of us.

I finally broke down about two weeks ago and drove into the nearby city and shopped for groceries. How long will this supply last? When will I have to attempt to do this again?

I've been very sick since this time as I have developed another infection from the illness that I have.

I was advised on Thursday of last week that I cannot go out.

Great! What am I supposed to do for food?

You cannot buy fresh fruits and vegetables and COSTCO only delivers specific non-perishable items.

Is this hard on us? You betcha!

Shame on anyone that thinks the disabled have an easy life. If they tried to walk for 30 seconds in my shoes, which I can barely pull on my swollen painful feet these days, they'd give up!

Even the governor of the State I am in promised food for senior citizens amounting to $67 a day. I attempted to check into this an it appears to be a big nothing burger best I can tell.

As for neighbors helping -- none to be seen around here, that is for sure.

To make matters worse, the hot water heater went out abt. 2 weeks ago, that was a $1,000 hit that I cannot afford.

They like the disabled just fine as long as we can pay pay pay and never ask for anything called HELP.