It is valuable and heart-rending to read THE LONG COVID READER (https://www.amazon.com/s?k=long+covid+reader+mary+ladd&crid=1GBXUY8XSXWA7&sprefix=lomg+covid+reader%2Caps%2C176&ref=nb_sb_ss_sc_2_17) intimate essays and poems by 45 long haulers. It vividly, harshly and passionately brings you up front and personal with the emotional and practical struggles of people with long COVID, the sharp transformation of their lives, the scientific ignorance of any dependable treatment, the chaotic medical system, the societal rejection and the struggle for hope.
Thank you for all the tips and things to look out for! More good news for California, our Governor signed this gun bill to protect its citizens in public spaces, then just before Christmas a Republican judge blocked it and our AG asked for an expedited review, it is now in effect~ Happy New Year until they try again;
As someone who is already disabled, I've never worked harder to avoid anything more than I have with COVID. I'm one of the few people (besides my family and my immunocompromised friend) that still wears masks (and I get a whole lot of weird looks for it) and I still have to constantly risk analyze almost everything I do. I'm tired of it and it pisses me off I still have to do it while everyone else gets to move on with their lives but you outlined perfectly the reasons why I still do. Until someone can actually figure out what causes Long COVID and how to prevent it, it's not a risk I can take. Thank you so much for everything you write here. I'm so sorry for everything you had to go through, but imade you've helped me feel seen and understood. And, if by some chance I end up with Long COVID, you've shared so much great information and so many great resources.
Jackie, thank you for reading and for your comment. No one can afford to get long COVID, but it’s especially important to remember that there are folks who are already disabled who are dodging a minefield every day. I’m with you; still masking in stores. I get funny looks too, but I don’t care. Have you SEEN what some of those people are WEARING?! 🤭🤣
And don't forget this one: being sidelined by colds/flus/whatever for much longer than you used to be, because your immune system is now totally jacked. Appreciate the low key vibe I had this month, but still want to punch Covid in the face, along with everyone who insists it "doesn't exist." 😳🙄
Thanks Amy! “Teetering”.. the perfect word in an imperfect… and right now in a messed up world (to be polite)! Wishing you and your love a good year in as many ways as is possible for you!
Hi finally found you, hard to track through all of your identity aliases. LoL. Just wrote about mABS that is no longer used but a very small trial suggest possible help for certain subsets.
It is valuable and heart-rending to read THE LONG COVID READER (https://www.amazon.com/s?k=long+covid+reader+mary+ladd&crid=1GBXUY8XSXWA7&sprefix=lomg+covid+reader%2Caps%2C176&ref=nb_sb_ss_sc_2_17) intimate essays and poems by 45 long haulers. It vividly, harshly and passionately brings you up front and personal with the emotional and practical struggles of people with long COVID, the sharp transformation of their lives, the scientific ignorance of any dependable treatment, the chaotic medical system, the societal rejection and the struggle for hope.
Thank you for mentioning the book, and for reading it! It just so happens that I have an essay in that very book. Look for the one by Amy S. ☺️
The book is very powerful. I have to read it in small segments and not before bedtime. The intimate feelings will be enshrined forever.
I hear you on both fronts 😌
I'm glad I've found you. Long COVID/ME survivor here, and new on Substack.
Welcome Natasha! Always glad to have a fellow survivor here 💪🏼
Thank you for all the tips and things to look out for! More good news for California, our Governor signed this gun bill to protect its citizens in public spaces, then just before Christmas a Republican judge blocked it and our AG asked for an expedited review, it is now in effect~ Happy New Year until they try again;
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/30/guns-california-law-ban-concealed-carry
I saw the first part of that, but didn’t know what happened after; thank you for including that here!
As someone who is already disabled, I've never worked harder to avoid anything more than I have with COVID. I'm one of the few people (besides my family and my immunocompromised friend) that still wears masks (and I get a whole lot of weird looks for it) and I still have to constantly risk analyze almost everything I do. I'm tired of it and it pisses me off I still have to do it while everyone else gets to move on with their lives but you outlined perfectly the reasons why I still do. Until someone can actually figure out what causes Long COVID and how to prevent it, it's not a risk I can take. Thank you so much for everything you write here. I'm so sorry for everything you had to go through, but imade you've helped me feel seen and understood. And, if by some chance I end up with Long COVID, you've shared so much great information and so many great resources.
Jackie, thank you for reading and for your comment. No one can afford to get long COVID, but it’s especially important to remember that there are folks who are already disabled who are dodging a minefield every day. I’m with you; still masking in stores. I get funny looks too, but I don’t care. Have you SEEN what some of those people are WEARING?! 🤭🤣
Amen to all of that. People already stare at me because I have a limp so I don’t mind throwing another reason in there 😂
And don't forget this one: being sidelined by colds/flus/whatever for much longer than you used to be, because your immune system is now totally jacked. Appreciate the low key vibe I had this month, but still want to punch Covid in the face, along with everyone who insists it "doesn't exist." 😳🙄
I just read an article about that very point. (The immune system stuff, not cold-cocking COVID 🤣)
Thanks Amy! “Teetering”.. the perfect word in an imperfect… and right now in a messed up world (to be polite)! Wishing you and your love a good year in as many ways as is possible for you!
Thank you so much for your constant support, Jenny!
Hi finally found you, hard to track through all of your identity aliases. LoL. Just wrote about mABS that is no longer used but a very small trial suggest possible help for certain subsets.
What identity aliases? 🤔