Long Covid in the media and social media 2022

RedFox · Oct 30, 2022

rvallee said: ↑

Lockdowns have been over for, what, 1.5 years? They lasted at most 4 months, maybe 6 in total?
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There's also plenty of places in America hardly did anything about Covid, even in early 2020, like Florida and Arizona.

RedFox · Oct 30, 2022

rvallee said: ↑

Putting numbers in perspective.

A shift from 72% full-time employment to 44%, a drop of 28 percentage points, is basically apocalyptic in economic terms. At its height during the Great depression, unemployment was 25%. The main difference is that this is a subset of the population, but it's a subset that used to be very standard, healthy working-age adults, for the most part.

Says a lot about how much is invested in denying this. There are very few single events that have caused such a dramatic loss of working age adults. And it's completely ignored because, of all reasons, it's medical. As if illness is so normal and unimportant, weak people being culled basically, that no one can manage to care about it even though taken in isolation it's historical. It's as if disease cancels all our ethics and morality, even our ability to be rational.

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Context: These figures are for the US. For reference, our population is 332M, around 160M of whom work.

Let's consider the implications of some of these stats:

2.88M completely out of work due to long Covid (That's 0.87% or 1 in 115 Americans, 1.8% or 1 in 56 workers)

1.60M forced to work part time

4.48M total forced to stop or reduce work (1.3% or 1 in 74 Americans, 2.8% or 1 in 36 workers)

Roughly the equivalent of 3.68M full-time jobs lost, if you assume that part-time workers are averaging half the hours

Kalliope · Oct 30, 2022

Don't know if this is verified, but this Tweet says:
A Chinese business consultant in a Ted-style talk justified zero-Covid policy by saying that in 10 years the West will be brought to its knees b/c long-Covid, which will decimate most of its labor force.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1586537964267798530

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rvallee · Oct 30, 2022

Kalliope said: ↑

Don't know if this is verified, but this Tweet says:
A Chinese business consultant in a Ted-style talk justified zero-Covid policy by saying that in 10 years the West will be brought to its knees b/c long-Covid, which will decimate most of its labor force.
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It's a valid argument now, and has been for some time, but the idea that LC is one of the reasons for this policy, which was set from the start, is laughable.

It does score geopolitical points to thumb their nose about it, but I have no doubt that having LC in China isn't any better than anywhere else where they also do nothing. This is about politics, not policy.

Although it's hardly a solid point when the whole issue is denied anyway, with blame being attributed as foolishly as it gets. Nope, instead it's foolish "immunity debt" and people dropping dead of anxiety and lack of exercise, after having not been limited in their ability to exercise but let's pretend anyway.

And if medicine can take part in lying about all that, frankly they can lie about everything. Good years ahead for TCM, especially as it's not any less awful than the BPS ideology and the current state of so-called evidence-based medicine. After all, acupuncture works just the same at dealing with persistent symptoms as anything in the BPS bag of tricks, there's even evidence for it. Bad evidence, but that's EBM for ya.

BrightCandle · Oct 30, 2022

rvallee said: ↑

It's a valid argument now, and has been for some time, but the idea that LC is one of the reasons for this policy, which was set from the start, is laughable.
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The chinese had a lot of experience with SARS and a whole bunch of people have ME/CFS from that outbreak. I think its likely that they recognised very early that Covid-19 SARS 2 was likely going to have a similar effect and paid close attention to the early reports in 2020 like with the Irish Nurses. The west ignored those papers in China about SARS ME/CFS patients and even its own reports of lingering symptoms such as the Irish Nurses. Those Chinese papers on SARS ME/CFS however were probably well read in China. They aren't suffering the same delusions about the condition as is common in the west, they know full well how debilitating they are.

Sean · Oct 31, 2022

The NHS is institutionally buying into the narrative that increased numbers of heart attacks are caused by lack of exercise during lockdown, long covid is caused by anxiety and lack of exercise.

After the BPS club's behaviour over NICE, and now this, is there anybody still in any doubt about both their power over health & social policy, and their complete disregard for evidence and the health of patients?

These people are utterly obsessed with their psycho-drama morality-play fairy tale, and prepared to sacrifice anybody and everybody to impose it on us all, and avoid it being exposed for what it really is and held to account for the mountain of human carnage left in its wake.

They. Don't. Care.

Andy · Oct 31, 2022

rvallee said: ↑

Giant hammer has never a thing that didn't look like a crushed nail after it stomped it good:

https://twitter.com/user/status/1586356457137917955

https://twitter.com/user/status/1586392573475577856

Lockdowns have been over for, what, 1.5 years? They lasted at most 4 months, maybe 6 in total? And were staggered anyway. And still people are seriously pretending it's a legitimate excuse? WTH? And not bothered by not making any sense at all, as if people were chained to the floor at home rather than just simply being at home, where, if anything, recreational exercise is one of the things people ended up doing the most of. While the people who work in physical labor definitely did not stay at home and had to do the physical labor while risking infection. Often having to work while they were ill.

Honestly the overlap between extremely dishonest politicians and medicine is dangerously becoming a circle, lying is normal. There is no embarrassment at saying obvious nonsense, even self-contradictory, or even blatant lies that most children would be too embarrassed to pretend to believe. As long as it feels true, that's what it's all about now. Health is now a feeling and basically nothing matters. Awesome.
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It would have been helpful if that person had provided any supporting evidence for their claims. At the moment it's just a random person venting on Twitter, which doesn't prove anything.

Sly Saint · Oct 31, 2022

Long COVID affects millions. What is being done about it? - The Boston Globe

Recent data have brought more bad news about long COVID-19. Roughly 18 million American adults (7 percent of the adult population) have at least one symptom that has lasted 12 weeks after infection. Now 14 million of them say their long COVID symptoms limit their daily activities, including 4.5 million who say their activities are limited “a lot.” The most common symptoms are fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating, and muscle aches.

Long COVID costs at least $60 billion up to as much as $100 billion a year in just lost wages. The annual cost of medical care for these patients may be another $100 billion. And those numbers don’t factor in decreased productivity from people working with severe fatigue and brain fog, or family members of long COVID patients who must reduce their work hours to take on caretaker roles. Acute COVID is a pandemic; long COVID could be a mass disabling event.
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This lack of knowledge might be ascribed to the fact that long COVID is new. But long COVID is not the first infection-associated chronic illness. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, usually triggered by a viral infection, is a chronic illness that impacts 840,000 to 2.5 million Americans — many of whom can’t work. In fact, many long COVID patients meet the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS.

But ME/CFS has been ignored and underfunded for years. The National Institutes of Health has dedicated less than $20 million a year to research on ME/CFS — a startlingly small amount for an illness of that prevalence and severity. As a result, scientists have made relatively little progress in understanding its underlying mechanisms and testing treatments.
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https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/10...affects-millions-what-is-being-done-about-it/

mango · Oct 31, 2022

Today the Swedish Covid Association published the first long covid information material in Swedish aimed at family members. (Has been fact checked by ME doctor/researcher dr Per Julin, among others.)

Nu publiceras första informationsmaterialet i Sverige
https://covidforeningen.se/nu-publiceras-forsta-informationsmaterialet-i-sverige/

Press release Auto-translate said:

The Swedish Covid Association is now publishing the first information material in Swedish aimed at family members.

- This is something our members have been asking for for a long time. Now, in cooperation with the health care sector, we want to reach as many people as possible with the material," says Tove Lundberg, President of the Swedish Covid Society.

As a relative of someone with post-covid, it can be difficult to understand how to support and participate in care and rehabilitation in the best possible way. The symptoms are often not visible on the outside and it can be difficult for the person affected to explain how they are feeling and what they need. The Swedish Covid Society has therefore produced fact-checked information material on post-covid, so that family members, friends, teachers, managers and colleagues can provide the best possible support. It also explains where relatives can turn for support.
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https://twitter.com/user/status/1586983985363783683

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(ETA twitter thread.)

mango · Oct 31, 2022

mango said: ↑

Today the Swedish Covid Association published the first long covid information material in Swedish aimed at family members. [...]

https://covidforeningen.se/nu-publiceras-forsta-informationsmaterialet-i-sverige/
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I haven't read all of it, just checked for mentions of PEM and ME. (The Swedish Covid Association usually never mentions ME.)

Auto-translate said:

1.7 Deterioration after activity (PEM/backlash)
Postcovid can come with relapses, which means temporary and recurrent periods of worsening symptoms. When an activity triggers deterioration, it is called PEM (post exertional malaise), which is translated into Swedish as "exertion-induced deterioration".

The terms "setback" or "crash" are sometimes used for postcovid. Typically for postcovid is a relapse that occurs with a delay of a few hours to a day after mental, social and physical strain. Where the line is drawn for too much strain differs from person to person, but also varies for the same person from day to day. [...]

6.2.6 Deterioration after exertion
PEM (Post Exertional Malaise) is a medical term that translates as "exertion-induced deterioration". The term PEM is also used in English, and is a disabling condition. PEM reduces the ability to load the body and brain with activity to the same degree as was previously possible. PEM is common in post-covid and also occurs in ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) which can occur after a viral infection. By definition, PEM occurs with some delay and often persists for at least 24 hours after activity. Even if the activity goes well at the moment, it can trigger a relapse with severe symptoms afterwards. Thus, as with many other medical conditions, people with PEM need to adjust their activity to avoid triggering symptoms.
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Trish · Oct 31, 2022

Posts about Elon Musk's take over of Twitter have been moved to a new thread: Twitter and how it operates

Kalliope · Oct 31, 2022

Sly Saint said: ↑

Long COVID affects millions. What is being done about it? - The Boston Globe

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/10...affects-millions-what-is-being-done-about-it/
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This was good, but behind a paywall for me. Dakota has provided on Twitter a link to the whole article:

https://twitter.com/user/status/1587119016543404035

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Sly Saint · Nov 1, 2022

NIH
Feeling Fatigued?
Finding Possible Causes

Send us your comments

One cause of debilitating fatigue is a serious disease called myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). ME/CFS causes long-lasting, severe exhaustion, along with flu-like symptoms (called post-exertional malaise). People with ME/CFS may also have sleep problems, pain, or “brain fog.” Brain fog is when you have trouble thinking or concentrating. Physical or mental activity can make ME/CFS symptoms worse.

Researchers have not yet found an effective way to diagnose or treat ME/CFS. However, its symptoms overlap with those seen in people with Long COVID. Long COVID arises when COVID-19 symptoms last weeks or months after infection. Experts estimate that around 20% of individuals with Long COVID will also be diagnosed with ME/CFS.

These similarities create new opportunities for scientists to uncover the biology behind fatigue. So, NIH is bringing together researchers from different fields and is providing new funding to help scientists tackle the mysteries of these and other forms of fatigue.

“The study of Long COVID is bringing light to many issues that the ME/CFS community has been exploring for years,” Whittemore says. “I think this research will help us better understand fatigue and get at the underlying mechanisms.”
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https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2022/11/feeling-fatigued

Kalliope · Nov 1, 2022

Sly Saint said: ↑

NIH
Feeling Fatigued?
Finding Possible Causes

Send us your comments

https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2022/11/feeling-fatigued
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They have a side bar titled "Wise choices"
I wonder if they actually belive health care providers are fully up to date about PEM and exercise?

Quote:

How Can I Feel Less Tired?
Healthy lifestyle changes may help you regain energy:

Eat a healthy diet. Nutritious foods can give you energy to do things you enjoy.

Get physically active. Experts recommend healthy adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week. Those with ME/CFS or Long COVID should talk with their health care provider before exercising.

Art Vandelay · Nov 1, 2022

There are some good points made here in alongside the terrible headline and unfortunate use of "fatigue" and "tiredness" throughout:

We failed Australians with chronic fatigue. Will we do the same with long COVID?
We failed the many thousands of Australians with chronic fatigue syndrome. We did not invest enough in research. We did not build an effective care system. We did not believe them.

Now we are beset with a disease that bears striking similarities: long COVID. And chronic fatigue advocates say we are in danger of repeating the same mistakes.
...
Long COVID – which overlaps significantly with ME/CFS – blows that scepticism out of the water. As many thousands of Australians have been struck down with long COVID during the pandemic, it has become increasingly difficult to deny that post-viral illnesses are real, debilitating and need to be taken seriously.

If we had properly funded ME/CFS research we’d already be a long way to understanding long COVID. Instead, we’re playing catch-up. There’s nothing we can do about past failings – but we must ensure we do better when it comes to long COVID.
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ME/CFS and long COVID have similar symptoms: exhaustion after exertion, general fatigue and cognitive difficulties – often called brain fog. A 2021 review looking at 21 long-COVID studies found 25 of 29 ME/CFS symptoms were also present in long COVID patients, and the hallmarks – fatigue and post-exertion exhaustion – were present in many studies.

“ME/CFS is effectively a more severe form of long COVID. If there was no long COVID, these people would just be diagnosed with ME/CFS,” says the University of Melbourne’s Chris Armstrong, director of the Melbourne ME/CFS Collaboration.
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I've left a narky comment under the article but the SMH's moderators usually choose not to approve mine for some reason.

BrightCandle · Nov 1, 2022

Art Vandelay said: ↑

I've left a narky comment under the article but the SMH's moderators usually choose not to approve mine for some reason.
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I don't see any comments at all it shows 0 and clicking on it also shows no comments. Clear your cookies/login and I suspect you may find they have misled you.

Art Vandelay · Nov 2, 2022

BrightCandle said: ↑

I don't see any comments at all it shows 0 and clicking on it also shows no comments. Clear your cookies/login and I suspect you may find they have misled you.
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Sorry, I wasn't clear. My comment is still waiting to be moderated. Their moderators only seem to work very limited hours and it's the middle of the night here.

Given my track record of my comments on SMH articles not being approved, I'm not hopeful it will appear in the morning.

ahimsa · Nov 2, 2022

Merged post
Will Long COVID Research Provide Answers for Poorly Understood Diseases Like ME/CFS?

https://medicine.yale.edu/news-arti...rly-understood-ailments-like-chronic-fatigue/

In 1983, Rivka Soloman was 21 and attending the University of Massachusetts Boston when she and her two roommates came down with infectious mononucleosis, or “mono.” Her roommates recovered within a couple of weeks. She never did.

Following her infection, she could barely get out of bed or stand up to brush her teeth. She was so sick she had to pull out of the university. This went on for a year until she went into what she describes as a “relatively spontaneous quasi-remission.” For several years, she was well enough to go to school, travel, work, and sometimes even exercise. But even during this respite, she constantly dragged a lingering exhaustion with her, and at unpredictable times she would find herself bedridden for days on end, never knowing when the debilitating fatigue would lift.

She was in graduate school in Washington, D.C., studying for her master’s degree when she was hit by a second infection, pneumonia. She pushed through the fatigue to finish her schooling—and then she collapsed. “Nobody told us back then, because nobody knew, that the primary thing you shouldn’t do when you have a post-infectious chronic illness is push through,” Soloman says. After graduation, she “crawled back” home to New England. This was in 1993. She has been in or near bed ever since.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a highly disabling, severe condition that has been largely overlooked and even questioned as an illness by medicine and researchers for decades. But now, following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as many as one in eight infected people, according to Akiko Iwasaki, PhD, Sterling Professor of Immunobiology, are developing “long COVID,” in which symptoms persist for weeks, months, or years post-infection and some are developing symptoms indistinguishable from ME/CFS. As an increasing number of people become debilitated by the post-viral syndrome, researchers such as Iwasaki and Harlan Krumholz, MD, Harold H. Hines, Jr. Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) are striving to uncover the mysteries behind the unrelenting fatigue and numerous other symptoms that seem to linger after COVID infection. They hope to provide answers to not only COVID “long haulers,” but also patients suffering from other poorly understood chronic conditions, including ME/CFS, that have been left unresolved for too long.

“The pandemic has opened the world’s eye to the fact that many chronic illnesses have been largely ignored, dismissed, and ridiculed,” says Iwasaki. “Long COVID has taught the world that these diseases are real, there is a biological basis for them, and we need to study them.”
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oldtimer · Nov 2, 2022

@ Art Vandelay . I also left a comment but it's somewhat too late now - the article is off the front page. There's one objection to chronic fatigue by someone called Smart Cookie. It amazes me that there's not mass outrage!

My comments often don't appear for some reason.

Art Vandelay · Nov 2, 2022

oldtimer said: ↑

My comments often don't appear for some reason.
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Mine wasn't approved. I suspect my comments are too critical of their articles

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