A brief note to my fellow journalists who write about covid and health... Your work bringing attention to long covid is essential. Thank you. 1/7

My own recovery has given me a perspective a journalist rarely gets: that of having the darkest experience of your life written about by someone else. I’ve learned a few things. 2/7

At this point in the pandemic, stories that mention in passing that some of us may be permanently disabled (or not), or have a chronic condition (or not), without taking the time to lay out what that may or may not mean aren’t helpful or actionable, only terrifying.3/7

Many of these stories don’t reflect what many of our own doctors tell us is possible about our recoveries, or the enormous progress many of us are making with the help of dedicated professionals from pulmonologists to yoga teachers, acupuncturists, and so on. 4/7

As a journalist, I fear this approach is also doing a disservice to people with all manner of disabilities and auto-immune conditions who are living healthy and full lives.5/7

Three times today I’ve received notes from strangers asking for advice for their loved ones, including one from a doctor. Covid survivors are healing slowly, but we are still healing. They need more focus on what is working, where to get help, and where to find support.6/7

That’s a vital part of what public service journalism is all about. Thanks for hearing me out.