By Lucy Caulkett-
Campaigners have presented a petition to Downing Street, demanding that key workers left disabled after catching the virus at work should be entitled to support.
It follows the withdrawal of Covid Sickness Pay this month, putting Long Covid sufferers on half pay for six months, during which they face a series of employment reviews to decide whether they can keep their jobs.
The petition on Change.Org calling for Long Covid to be recognised as an occupational disease and compensation or pension support provided has gained 125,000 signatures.
Campaign leader Rachel Hext, who was a community nurse until she lost her job because of Long Covid, said: “Across Europe they are getting these compensation schemes opened
Campaigners are demanding that key workers left disabled after catching the virus at work should be entitled to support.
The petition calling for Long Covid to be recognised as an occupational disease and compensation or pension support provided has gained 125,000 signatures.
Campaign leader Rachel Hext, who was a community nurse until she lost her job because of Long Covid, said: “Across Europe they are getting these compensation schemes opened.
“Once again the Government has made no provision for people with Long Covid.
“Front line workers are in a real mess, defaulting on their mortgages and going into debt.”Sarah Sutton, 44, a former midwife, said: “Long Covid affects everything I do every day. I set an alarm so that I can wish my children a good day before school.
“I haven’t worked since March 2020. I can’t shop, clean or walk my dogs.
“I can’t hold my iPad up for long. I can’t carry things upstairs as I have to go on my hands and knees.
“It affects everything.”
The petition states: “Long covid has left key workers, including supermarket workers, carers, nurses, doctors, teachers and many more, debilitated, with completely different lives.
“We need compensation for our service and we need it now.”
A report by MPs on the All Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus concluded that the UK is “out of step with other countries” in not recognising Long Covid as an industrial illness.
Over 50 countries now provide formal legal recognition and compensation for key workers who contracted Covid-19 as a result of workplace exposure.
Layla Moran, chair of the APPG on Coronavirus, said: “The health and economic implications of further inaction from ministers will be disastrous for the NHS, the economy, and the millions living with this debilitating condition.
“It is crucial that the Government moves to follow the sensible course already established in other countries by urgently recognising Long Covid as an occupational disease and increasing funding for research and treatment.”
The Office for National Statistics estimated there are 2.3 million people in the UK who have Long Covid.
One of the widely known victims of long covid lately includes a nurse with 28 years of NHS service by the name of Brenda Eadie was hospitalised after catching covid while working at Low Moss Prison when she caught the virus has been left with a variety of symptoms, including extreme fatigue, pain and mobility issues.
Ms Eadie said she felt destitute as a result of her experience with long covid, and at one point wished God would take her from this world.
Her experience was one of several highlighted by MSPs during a Holyrood debate on Tuesday.
She has supported calls for more support for frontline workers suffering from long-term health issues following the pandemic.
She told STV News: “I cannot do anything. I cannot travel because when I do, I need a mobility scooter.
“I am not at the age where I am wanting to be jumping on a mobility scooter to go on holiday. I can’t go to the gym, and I have weakening of my muscles in my hands.
“There are times when I am lying on the bathroom floor just screaming, please just take me, I can’t take anymore. I get severe pain in my back and I am vomiting because of the pain.
“If I have a day when I am very active, I will spend the next three days in my bed and will not be worth a button. My batteries will just run down.”
She recalled the terrifying day she woke up “unable to speak” in November 2021.
“I just couldn’t get the words out,” she added. “I have still not seen neurology. I have been passed from department to department.”
Ms Eadie’s experience was one of several highlighted by MSPs during a Holyrood debate on Tuesday.
She has backed calls for more support for frontline workers suffering from long-term health issues following the pandemic.