THE founder of the Scottish Resistance has described the horrors they saw on a Covid ward after they were hospitalised with the disease.
James Scott, who set up the controversial pro-independence campaign group, said there were “men and women screaming in anguish and pain all night long” in the ward where he was treated for coronavirus.
“Such suffering should not be happening on this planet”, he added, expressing sympathy for the “poor wretched souls”.
Scott said that he was placed in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital “Red Zone” for 10 days after becoming ill with “a strong variant of Covid”.
The activist said he was placed in the "ward from hell" after becoming so ill he “could hardly stand”.
Scott went on: “I was on oxygen and a drip. I am now off the oxygen but still have headaches, sore throat, sore chest and sore stomach and still being sick frequently.
“If only you knew how bad it was.”
Though full of praise for the NHS nurses, Scott says it was noticeable how the hospital was understaffed, especially when it came to aspects of care such as food delivery.
“I think that as soon as they can get people off of the oxygen machines and out they do because there’s so many people waiting. And I think it’s going to get worse and worse,” he says.
Although he is “very thankful” to be out of hospital and home with his wife, Scott said he had been told by doctors that his lungs are "badly inflamed with extensive bilateral Covid pneumonia” and that it will take months to fully recover.
He goes on: “Any activity, moving, is just too much. It’s hard to breathe properly. I’ve always been very healthy up until I caught this.
“When they took the X-ray I managed to glance over and have a look and both my lungs are properly clouded up. It’s just unbelievable, the pain in my chest has been very, very bad and it’s still there.”
However, Scott tells The National that after a period of recovery, the Scottish Resistance will be back protesting as before.
He says that despite the Covid pandemic necessitating a dip in activity, the Resistance has been able to make contacts with like-minded groups around the world, including in US states such as Texas and California, and the disputed region of Tibet.
“The Scottish Resistance are still here, we have never gone away.”
The group was responsible for protests outside Tunnock’s following decisions by the Uddingston-based firm to brand its products with the Union flag.
The group has also been behind protests at the Spanish consulate against the Madrid government’s actions in Catalonia, moves to see Tony Blair and Jack Straw prosecuted for war crimes, and protests against Jim Murphy and Eddie Izzard ahead of the 2015 General Election.
Addressing prior allegations that the Scottish Resistance is anti-English, Scott says that the group’s “Guardian of Scotland” award has gone to English new Scots more than people of any other background.
He dismisses claims of anti-Englishness, saying he hopes for the people of that nation to become free just as he hopes the same for people in Scotland.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here