– Aim to build biggest public movement to support frontline fight against the virus

Scotland’s largest care and support charity for some of the people most at risk during the Coronavirus outbreak are urging Scots to use their smartphones to help save lives from Coronavirus.

Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland is calling for people to join their campaign to help people with chest heart and stroke conditions fight the virus in Scotland.

Their “Scotland Against Coronavirus” campaign aims to create a movement of thousands of Scots ready to:

• Share the latest condition-specific life-saving information
• Share information on how people with chest heart and stroke conditions can continue to get support if community services they use have to temporarily close
• Show their moral support for frontline staff fighting the virus
• Get in touch with people to make sure they don’t fight this virus alone

They are asking people to sign up to the campaign and get regular micro-volunteering opportunities (for example sharing messages on social media or via email) to help Scotland fight the virus.

Chief Executive of Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, Jane-Claire Judson, said:

“Most of us in Scotland have a smartphone. Now is the opportunity for us all to use this technology to help save lives.  We want to build an online community that helps the most vulnerable people with this outbreak. 

“With our “Scotland Against Coronavirus” campaign we want to build a mass movement of people ready to share vital information with their networks and show their support to people on the frontline of the fight against this disease. 

 “People with long term health problems like chest, heart and stroke conditions are at high risk of complications with Coronavirus.

“Together we can fight Coronavirus in Scotland. We won’t let it stop our mission to make sure that no life is half lived in Scotland.

Richard Cowan, 69 from Aberdeenshire, is living with COPD.  He said:

“Coronavirus is pretty serious for people like me with COPD. I need everyone to follow NHS advice, wash their hands and self-isolate if they have symptoms.

“At the same time my COPD doesn’t stop because of Coronavirus. People like me still need help to breathe better and the outbreak makes this more important than ever. Being well and feeling well are the most important ways I can protect myself.  

“That’s why this campaign is so important.  It will give people the chance to really help each other during the virus outbreak.”

To join the movement to fight against Coronavirus in Scotland please sign up at www.scotlandagainstcoronavirus.org