Thread by @ZurNull

"There is money in prevention"

Blockbuster article in a leading German business outlet discusses what employers should do about Long COVID.

Highlights🧵

manager-magazin.de/harvard/long-c…

"The researchers discovered that a SARS-CoV-2 infection substantially diminishes cognitive performance in those affected:

Subjects processed visual information more slowly and experienced faster exhaustion compared to a similarly sized control group."

"'We interpret this as evidence of chronically diminished brain activity in Long COVID, primarily manifesting as slowed information processing,'
states Kathrin Finke, the psychological head of the Jena Post-COVID Clinic."

"There is growing evidence that Long COVID's effects could have a more lasting impact on the economy than the lockdowns did."

"A virus that slows down cognitive processes, leading to persistently higher absenteeism and increased occupational disability, is a concerning prospect for the business world."

"For many leaders, the continual cycle of sick leave may seem inevitable.

However, they often fail to recognize that after four years of COVID-19, they possess the knowledge and resources to significantly safeguard workplaces against the virus."

"Afschin Gandjour estimates the economic impact of Long COVID in Germany, assuming an average of 84 days of work incapacity per person and a daily production loss of 124 euros."

"This results in an annual production loss of 3.4 billion euros for businesses in Germany alone, with additional billions in costs to the health and pension systems."

"An online survey reveals that participants suffering from Long COVID reported an average of 237 days of sick leave, amounting to 22,200 euros in work absence per person."

"Many of these individuals can no longer work at their previous capacity, contributing to the skilled labor shortage and additional recruiting costs."

"The SARS-CoV-2 virus can damage the immune system even in mild cases, leading to a high level of sickness absenteeism as individuals contract multiple illnesses."

"The 'immunity debt' theory as an explanation for post-lockdown illnesses has been debunked, as it does not exist in medical science."

"'We estimate that one in ten infections leads to Post-COVID,' says (director-general of the WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, suggesting hundreds of millions might need long-term treatments."

"Long COVID is now considered a 'Mass Disabling Event,' triggering a significant global increase in diseases and disabilities."

"Many people are contracting COVID-19 two to three times a year, with some experiencing up to half a dozen infections."

"Immunity is not reliably achieved through existing vaccines or past infections."

"21 percent of people infected with Corona at least once report suffering from Post- or Long-Covid illness."

"Younger, high-functioning individuals are particularly at risk, with 35 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds and 40 percent of 30- to 39-year-olds affected."

"Only some individuals fully recover from Long Covid, while most have lasting health limitations."

"There is no effective, recognized therapy for Long Covid, and some prescribed rehab measures can cause complete occupational disability."

"The Swiss Cheese Model, developed by psychologist James Reason, illustrates how multiple layers of protection (like slices of Swiss cheese with holes in different places) can effectively decrease the probability of infection."

"Implementing a variety of protective measures in the workplace can significantly lower infection rates."

"Employers should be flexible with home office policies, as remote working can reduce the frequency of infections and prevent the spread of the virus in the workplace."

"Some employers pressure their staff to work even when infected, raising concerns about their duty of care towards uninfected employees."

"Employers should regularly update their risk assessments according to the current state of infections, possibly including entry bans for infected employees or mandatory high-quality masks in risk-prone settings."

"The effectiveness of FFP2 masks, initially questioned by a meta-study, has been confirmed by further research, including studies by the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization."

"Coronavirus can linger in the air of enclosed spaces for hours, rendering standard social distancing measures insufficient for reducing infection risk."

"Leaders are advised to lead by example and conduct information campaigns to combat misinformation and encourage mask-wearing."

"Leaders should be cautious with their language, avoiding terms like 'during the COVID era' or 'after COVID,' which may imply that COVID-19 is no longer a concern."

"Leaders have a responsibility to support employees who choose to wear masks, recognizing it as a contribution to lower sickness rates and standing against any bullying."

"The use of air purifiers is recognized in various settings, including the World Economic Forum in Davos and within German state governments."

"In larger spaces like conference rooms, multiple air filters are necessary for effective purification, as shown by Professor Christian Kähler's experiment in a complexly structured restaurant, where filters reduced harmful particles by 75%."

"CO2 values are a reliable indicator of air quality; indoor levels should ideally be below 800 ppm to minimize health risks and infection chances."

"High-quality air filters in multi-person offices and communal areas can be a long-term investment, preventing infections and associated economic losses."

"Employers can facilitate access to booster shots, much like annual flu vaccination campaigns."

"Considering that around 40 percent of all Corona infections are asymptomatic, it's advised to implement rapid tests, air filters, and regular ventilation, especially for in-person meetings."

"The lifting of COVID measures brought a sense of relief, but has led to high sickness rates and productivity losses due to the ongoing impact of the virus."

"Companies face a choice: continue facing the consequences of a 'Mass Disabling Event' or actively protect their workforce, possibly until a vaccine providing sterile immunity is developed."

Translated English version (1/2):

(2/2)

"There is money in prevention"

The English version of the article from a leading business outlet on what employers should do about Long COVID is for now available for free (with videos) here:

By @DomkeBritta
manager-magazin.de/harvard/long-c…