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One of my best friends caught Covid-19 in March of last year.
He is young (40ish), enjoyed sparkling health, a vibrant mind (he's one of the few people who can trash me at word games), and a robust immune system.
He is young (40ish), enjoyed sparkling health, a vibrant mind (he's one of the few people who can trash me at word games), and a robust immune system.
In his words contracting the coronavirus was the closest he'd ever come to death.
He survived. But he's what has come to be known as a Covid Long Hauler. He describes this a "a living hell; same guy, same mind, but imprisoned in a body that is attacking itself."
He survived. But he's what has come to be known as a Covid Long Hauler. He describes this a "a living hell; same guy, same mind, but imprisoned in a body that is attacking itself."
It has been almost a year since he "recovered." Because this is a novel coronavirus, doctors have no idea how to treat Post Acute Covid-19 Syndrome.
It's as if the parts of your immune system that came online to fight Covid-19 never came off high alert, resulting in persistent immune inflammation, debilitating fatigue, and cognitive issues that resemble early-onset dementia.
Some long-haulers have permanent organ damage or lingering neurological disorders.
The number of people who contract Long Covid is equal to the fatality rate: about 2%. With 100M (and counting) infections worldwide:
The number of people who contract Long Covid is equal to the fatality rate: about 2%. With 100M (and counting) infections worldwide:
That means millions of people now trying to cope with a disease that mimics an autoimmune disorder, and a medical field that is trying to figure out how to address these problems in real time as they arise.
Covid-19 is changing the way we communicate.
No matter how well-intentioned, I can't just ask my friend "how are you feeling" because the answer is always going to be "like hell."
It's not dissimilar to how I've learned to talk with other friends with autoimmune disorders:
No matter how well-intentioned, I can't just ask my friend "how are you feeling" because the answer is always going to be "like hell."
It's not dissimilar to how I've learned to talk with other friends with autoimmune disorders:
You need to create the kind of space where people can say (or not say) how they feel without their expressing themselves exacerbating any depression that may accompany persistent, painful illness.
All of this to say: don't fuck around with this.
All of this to say: don't fuck around with this.
Stay home if you can. DOUBLE-mask up if you go out. Wash your fucking hands. And if you see Covid deniers, punch them in their stupid fucking faces.*
*Do NOT actually punch anyone in their stupid fucking faces. #Covid_19 #coronavirus #longhaulers https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/21/magazine/covid-aftereffects.html
*Do NOT actually punch anyone in their stupid fucking faces. #Covid_19 #coronavirus #longhaulers https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/21/magazine/covid-aftereffects.html
