By KIRA BUDGE
White Rock

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the disability community has known that death is not the only risk people face. Viral and bacterial infections can cause lasting and sometimes permanent symptoms. I myself developed life-changing chronic pain from the 2009 H1N1 swine flu when I was a teen.

Today, medical research recognizes “long COVID” as a serious problem. Estimates vary, but the CDC found that about 20% of infections lead to long-term symptoms—and people are getting infected over and over because of the virus mutating. These symptoms can be nightmarish and include severe fatigue, brain damage, blood clots, and organ failure. There is currently no cure.

The vaccine reduces long COVID risk some (and it definitely prevents deaths), but even many healthy, vaccinated people are developing long COVID.

Our society will fall apart if too many people cannot work. So I beg you all to wear masks indoors and install air filters. Stay home when you’re sick—rest and antiviral drugs can help you recover.

Education and research are key, so please tell others about long COVID and, if you can, donate to organizations like the Solve ME/CFS Initiative.

This pandemic is not over, and we have yet to see the worst of its lasting effects. Be careful, please.