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Disabled Scots lawyer 'disgusted' after being harassed and refused entry to shops without face mask
Daniel Donaldson has hidden disabilities and says he has been taken aback by the treatment he has received on the street from strangers
A disabled Scots lawyer claims he has been regularly harassed and abused by strangers for not wearing a face mask in shops.
Daniel Donaldson has hidden respiratory disabilities and is exempt from wearing a mask.
The 40-year-old, who is a disability rights lawyer, says he has been left ‘disgusted’ by the discriminatory treatment directed towards him and others who are permitted to not wear a face covering in public.
He claims he has been confronted by strangers, subjected to vile verbal attacks and refused entry into stores since face masks were made mandatory in shops in Scotland on July 10.
Daniel told the Daily Record: “I have hidden disabilities and underlying medical conditions and therefore I am exempt from wearing a mask.
“However I have been utterly taken aback at the treatment I, and others in similar situations, have experienced since they were made compulsory two weeks ago.
We are being discriminated against and refused access to shops on some occasions, and that is just not acceptable.
“I’m disgusted.
“Just last week I was stopped in John Lewis by a customer who demanded to know where my mask was.
“I said I am exempt and then a further explanation was demanded, to which I told the person to ‘p* off’ because it’s a breach of my privacy.
"Face masks affect my breathing. This raises my respiration. This increases my heart rate. This causes distress. To wear this, I need to take diazepam. In addition to the regular medications, and liquid steroids to help keep my airways open
Daniel also slammed the Scottish Government for “rushing through” confusing legislation to enforce the new rule.
He added: “The problem is, the Scottish Government published this law three hours before it was introduced.
“There was no consultation with disability groups, no taking into account how it would affect them.
"The guidance is confusing, and doesn't make it clear that we don't need medical evidence to prove we are exempt."
Daniel, from Glasgow, says he was desperate to get out and about after being cooped up at home since the end of February.
He has been relishing the easing of restrictions but was not prepared for the amount of people who would challenge him in the street or in shops over his lack of PPE.
Daniel said: “I’m not jumping on the anti-face mask bandwagon here, I just believe people with disabilities who are exempt have the right not to be harassed going about their lives.
“Disabled people are not lepers, we are not going out there to spread the virus, and if staff and other customers are wearing their face masks, they have nothing to worry about, they are protected.
“So I’m just trying to raise a bit of awareness as we all try to get back to a bit of normality because it has been a lonely time for all of us and it’s not fair that some are feeling worry about finally getting to go into shops.”
Daniel, who runs the Disability Law Centre in Glasgow, has been using his organisation’s Facebook page to raise awareness and call shops out for discriminatory treatment.
He has also stepped in when he has witnessed harassment of others.
He added: “I have intervened in a number of incidents and I try to help as much as I can.
“Last week a security guard at a shop in Glasgow was trying to stop a young girl from entering because she didn’t have a mask, even though she was explaining why she couldn't wear one.
“He was intimidating her and I was not happy with his tone to this young girl, another woman said it was disgusting, so I took it up with management and they apologised profusely.
“But we can’t be there to see all these incidents unfold.”
Proof of exemption is also not a suitable solution to the issue, according to Daniel.
He said: “Things like exemption lanyards or so called medical evidence will not work.
“If you put a lanyard on, it’s like putting a big disability sticker on you forehead.
“All we can do for now is raise awareness because the system right now is not working.
“It makes me wary to go out but I will continue to live my life and try to help others do the same.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “As the First Minister has said, no one should be abused or treated in an unacceptable way and those exempt under the regulations should not be made to wear a face covering or denied access to shops.
"Retailers can ask people to wear a face covering, but should be understanding when people tell them they are exempt and we do not expect staff to enforce the wearing of face coverings.
“The guidance on the use of face coverings by the public is contained in the Phase 3 Staying Safe and Protecting others guidance on the Scottish Government website.
This makes clear that it may not be appropriate for those who have a health condition or for disabled people to wear a face covering.
“For those who are not exempt, it is now mandatory to wear a face covering on public transport and in shops or other retail outlets, and we expect face coverings to be worn when in an enclosed public space where it is difficult to maintain two metres physical distance and where there is a risk of close contact with multiple people you do not usually meet.”
Find out more about Daniel's campaign to promote awareness of hidden disabilities here