Scunthorpe woman with vulnerable daughter reveals concerns over scrapping of coronavirus rules

Lorna Fillingham's daughter has a condition that impacts the brain

Covid positive test
Author: Andy Marsh/ PAPublished 22nd Feb 2022

Yesterday Boris Johnson announced coronavirus restrictions are being removed.

However Unions and charities are warning the axing of Covid laws this week will cause 'anxiety and hardship'.

From Thursday there'll be no legal requirement to self-isolate with coronavirus - but we'll still be encouraged to stay home for five days.

The move has been criticised by a Scunthorpe mother of an extremely vulnerable 11-year old.

Lorna Fillingham's daughter suffers with Baraitser-Winter syndrome - a condition that impacts development of the brain.

She says no-one should be left behind.

"I'm all for freedom but not at the expense children's health who are already considered vulnerable."

"I'm not asking for lockdowns but basic things like mask wearing and continuing Covid isolation until the population has been fully vaccinated."

"I find it negligent - that is what I think it is."

"(Johnson) is neglecting the health of too many people and I just don't understand why he is making this decision.

"I cannot understand the timing of this announcement."

The plans will affect the daily life of Ms Fillingham and her family, who have have been shielding since the country's first lockdown in March 2020.

The family regularly call ahead to attractions to check they are not too busy before taking the children.

"Every time we go somewhere, it's always going to be in the back of my head as to whether (Emily-May) is safe in that environment or not," she said.

"Because she could be sat next to somebody with active Covid, and she hasn't got the full protection of the vaccine."

Ms Fillingham also said the plans to scrap self-isolation laws has angered the online community of clinically vulnerable people.

"People are feeling that they've been thrown to the wolves," she said.

"That is what I'm getting from the Facebook groups.

"I don't believe (Johnson) can be following the science any more."

"We're just an inconvenience to this Government."