Mansfield Woodhouse great grandad with lung illness issues lifesaving plea to public to "stay at home"

Peter Burrows has emphysema, a serious condition where the air sacs in the lungs have been damaged and can make breathing difficult.

According to experts the current Covid-19 pandemic has “serious consequences” for those with underlying health issues, including death.

The 75-year-old is urging everyone to follow the Government’s coronavirus ‘stay at home’ advice to help protect him and others like him who are at an increased risk of becoming seriously ill or dying.

Peter, who has two great-grandchildren, nine grandchildren and three children, chairs a Breathe Easy support group which helps people affected by lung conditions.

The retired engineer, who worked in Oxford 14 years ago, and was diagnosed with emphysema eight years ago and spends his retirement with his wife Patricia, exercising and walking their dog.

Peter is in self isolation to protect himself from coronavirus after the British Lung Foundation made the decision to step down all Breathe Easy groups three weeks ago to protect members.

He said: “I’m used to being out and about and socialising so staying indoors is difficult but I know it’s the right thing to do.

“But the reality is I need healthy people to stay at home to stop the virus spreading to protect me too. If you’re healthy it may be mild for you but it could be life-threatening for me. Please follow the Government’s advice and stay at home.”

David Hodgson, respiratory consultant at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “Covid-19 has serious consequences for people with underlying health conditions which includes death.

“People are worried and are protecting themselves but that’s not enough unless healthy people take this seriously and stay away from others and social distance. I am appealing to healthy people to be responsible to protect those who are already ill from becoming more sick.”

Jonathan Gribbin, Director of Public Health at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Every member of our community has a part to play in helping to defeat coronavirus. If you stay at home you are contributing to the national effort to stop the spread and keep people safe.”