James Mcallister was a much-loved family man. Did the Christmas mixing confusion cause his death?
James Mcallister … ‘I thought that if James got Covid, he would be really poorly or it would kill him.’ Illustration: PAUL RYDING/The Guardian
James Mcallister … ‘I thought that if James got Covid, he would be really poorly or it would kill him.’ Illustration: PAUL RYDING/The Guardian
In the run-up to Christmas, the government dithered and made last-minute rule changes that left many people baffled. A surge in coronavirus cases soon followed
Tue 6 Apr 2021 01.00 EDT
All through the spring of 2020, and into the summer, Michelle Mcallister carefully shielded her husband, James Mcallister. Michelle, 39, who lives in the Wednesfield area of Wolverhampton, was a full-time carer to James, 52. A former used car dealer, James had heart failure and had used a colostomy bag since a stomach ulcer burst in 2016. He was unable to work and was often in pain, reliant on a walking stick and occasionally a wheelchair to get around.