An award-winning journalist, author and political commentator brought out some of the best and the worst in social media with her suggestion of a database of businesses applying Covid-safe procedures to protect people who are clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV).
Frances Ryan, a regular columnist for The Guardian and other media outlet and author of Crippled: Austerity and the Demonisation of Disabled People, attracted criticism from some respondents who ridiculed her idea – some of them even dismissing the risk of Covid.
But the overwhelming majority of responses were positive, pledging support for such a scheme and highlighting some measures which are already in place.
Frances took to Twitter to say how she “would love a database of tradespeople and shops following Covid safety measures that CEV people could add to and use”.
The idea was prompted by the blunt response from a plumber when she asked if he would mind taking a lateral flow test: “I don’t do that anymore but don’t worry – I don’t have Covid.”
Frances said she managed to find a plumber who follows Covid safety measures, but she said the episode illustrates the way in which Covid has added to “the access stuff we always had to do”, and she reminded her 46,800 followers that the “purple pound” – the spending power of disabled people and their companions – is worth £249bn a year in the UK.
One respondent said: “My gas man was rolling his eyes at wearing a mask, did wear one but made it clear it was under sufferance. I need to find a new one who takes covid safety as seriously as gas safety.
Another commented: “I’ve been thinking a lot over the weekend about the need for an agency of tradespeople who are informed about being clinically vulnerable. My boiler service engineer has MS & we look after each other when he’s here but that is rare for both of us.”
One person who delivers a service themselves replied: “I’m a piano teacher and still very much taking the careful route for my clinically vulnerable students.”
Other comments included “I would use that service”, “opportunity awaits” and “what a great idea”.
One person replied with information about a Covid-19 safety pledge set up by Independent Sage – the independent group of scientists formed to provide transparent advice during the Covid crisis – to protect staff, users and customers and to promote the creation of safe spaces at work.
Another recommended the approach adopted by Specsavers: “All staff still masked and gloved, still testing staff & long self isolation if positive. Constant cleaning. All glasses tried on put in a basket the customer keeps on them & they’re all disinfected before putting back. I felt very safe.”
Specsavers replied: “We aim to make every customer feel comfortable and understand that proper PPE use needs to be in place at the moment to make everyone feel safe! Can you let us know which store you visited so we can pass your great feedback on to the team, please?”
