How mask shaming affects immunocompromised people

When Peter Morley, who has an autoimmune disease, was out and about on the streets of New York City for Pride Month celebrations in June, he wore a mask — as well as a matching outfit with his best friend, Charlie.

Their matching outfits caught the attention of a photographer, and when the two posed, Morley said the photographer asked him to pull his mask down. After Morley declined, the photographer responded by saying, “COVID is over. Get on with your life.”

Alyssa Milano’s Sorry Not Sorry, Episode 37: Peter Morley Protects Your Care

When Peter Morley fell off a ladder, he had no idea that his spinal injury would reveal lurking kidney cancer. He’s turned this tragedy, along with even more dire health issues, into purpose, passion, and power. A regular on Capitol Hill, Peter delivers healthcare stories to members of Congress in support of the Affordable Care Act and other vital healthcare programs.

Op-Ed | Congress must stand up to President Trump— disabled Americans are worth something

They say the personal is political, and that’s never been truer than now, with President Trump and his administration.

As a disability patient advocate, I can read all their policy papers they use to justify their actions, but at the end of the day the best way to understand what Donald Trump thinks about the disability community is to see what he witnessed in his own family.