International: March 15 is Long Covid Awareness Day - news coverage, social media posts, protests

Today, March 15, is Long Covid Awareness Day.

I thought there should be a thread for news articles, social media posts (hashtag #LongCovidAwarenessDay), etc.

I'll post a few links in replies to this thread.

If this is already covered in another thread then please move! I searched but did not find anything.

 

Dr. Lucky Tran on Mastodon posted some photos from protests in different cities:

Source = https://med-mastodon.com/@luckytran/112101714297636793

EDIT: The alt text for the four images says these photos are from London, Melbourne, Madrid, and Washington, DC.

 

Patients, advocates come to Washington for Long Covid Awareness Day

Millions of people in the U.S. and around the world are dealing with long-lasting effects from the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://www.kplctv.com/2024/03/15/patients-advocates-come-washington-long-covid-awareness-day/

 

From Psychology Today:
Long Covid Is a Disabling Disease—And It’s Not Rare

Millions of Americans are affected by Long Covid.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/...covid-is-a-disabling-disease-and-its-not-rare

 

Medpage Today:

Long COVID Patients, Advocates Rally for More Research, Funding, and Attention

— "This has gone on long enough," one protester says

https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/longcovid/109210

 

Should I include email and posts from advocacy groups on this thread?

Patient Led Research Collaborative sent out an email, for example.

 

Post from Ayanna Pressley, the U.S. representative for Massachusetts's 7th congressional district, on congressional website:
On Long COVID Awareness Day, Pressley Keeps Up Fight for COVID Long Haulers

https://pressley.house.gov/2024/03/...essley-keeps-up-fight-for-covid-long-haulers/

 

From the website for the Today show (TV morning show):

How long COVID symptoms change patients' lives: ‘Debilitating, devastating, demoralizing’

Four years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, many long COVID patients have more questions than answers.

https://www.today.com/health/coronavirus/long-covid-symptoms-rcna141441

 

Video from Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FULEqLMqM30

 

ABC News (Australia):
Scientists say there's been a 'revolution' in understanding long COVID, but sufferers are still feeling left behind

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-16/long-covid-australia-response-awareness/103592326

Mentions ME/CFS:

(Note: Other posts might also mention ME/CFS, I only did quick scans, I could have easily missed stuff)

 

From The Canary (UK):
‘LONG COVID DOESN’T EXIST’ scream the corporate media. Well, #LongCovidAwarenessDay proved them wrong.

https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2024/03/16/long-covid-awareness-day-uk/

 

Overall, not much more coverage or impact than our own annual awareness day. Given the size and interest that LC has garnered compare to ME, this makes our own efforts impressive. I was hoping there would be more, but I can't say that I'm surprised.

 

I thought I'd post links to a few messages posted by Long Covid and ME/CFS groups. These are just the ones I found - please add others if/when you find them.

Open Medicine Foundation:

https://www.omf.ngo/longcovid-awareness-day/

Patient-Led Research Collaborative sent email:
(can't find link to online version but quote box below has the main text)

Long Hauler Advocacy Project:

https://www.longhauler-advocacy.org/longcovidad24

[I thought I had more but I'm starting to fade... I'll try to come back here and add more links when I find them]

EDIT: Adding one link that I forgot earlier.

Statement from Solve M.E. :

https://solvecfs.org/march-15-is-international-long-covid-awareness-day/

 

From The Sick Times:
Sen. Bernie Sanders introduces resolution to formalize Long Covid Awareness Day

https://thesicktimes.org/2024/03/15...lution-to-formalize-long-covid-awareness-day/

 

Post on Bluesky from Susan Kiddie (@susankiddie.bsky.social) with a photo of the CN Tower:

"Last night, the CN Tower in Toronto was lit in teal, grey and black for #LongCovidAwarenessDay"

https://bsky.app/profile/susankiddie.bsky.social/post/3kntbq36umc2r

 

The Sick Times has published a collection of photos from the protest in Washington, DC.
Photo essay: Long Covid advocates gather in DC for demonstration

https://thesicktimes.org/2024/03/18/photo-essay-long-covid-advocates-gather-in-dc-for-demonstration/

 

I did a search for Long Covid Awareness Day looking for items I missed last week. I found this news brief from ODEP, Office of Disability Employment Policy, part of the U.S. Department of Labor.

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/publications/news-brief/20240314

A few bullet points from the link:

• Supporting Employees with Long COVID: A Guide for Employers
• Accommodation and Compliance: Long COVID
• Long COVID, Disability and Underserved Communities: Recommendations for Employers
• Long COVID and Disability Accommodations in the Workplace
• Understanding and Addressing the Workplace Challenges Related to Long COVID

There are more, but that should give you an idea of what's available.

 

Another item I found while searching so I'm adding it here. I've never heard of McKnights Senior Living so I don't know their reputation.

The headline mentions general support for seniors with Long Covid but there is a mention of Long Covid Awareness Day in the text.
New website supports seniors with long COVID

https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/home/technology/new-website-supports-seniors-with-long-covid/