March 12, 2021
Today marks my 1st ‘Covid anniversary’.
A year ago I woke up with a headache, but only later that day, when a dry cough kicked in, did I realise ‘this must be it’
I remember being surprised & annoyed, though not afraid knowing the odds were in my favour. 1/8
Today marks my 1st ‘Covid anniversary’.
A year ago I woke up with a headache, but only later that day, when a dry cough kicked in, did I realise ‘this must be it’
I remember being surprised & annoyed, though not afraid knowing the odds were in my favour. 1/8
I was only afraid of passing the virus on, so we focused directly on self isolation.
I was anticipating 1-2 weeks of flu-like symptoms after which I was certain to return to ‘the pandemic frontline’.
That worked out differently, and weeks later I even ended up in hospital 2/8
I was anticipating 1-2 weeks of flu-like symptoms after which I was certain to return to ‘the pandemic frontline’.
That worked out differently, and weeks later I even ended up in hospital 2/8
I did also not expect #longcovid to be an alternate outcome, let alone that I would suffer from and write about it 3 months later.
In June I wrote this piece to create awareness, emphasise societal impact, explain importance of research to gain knowledge & guide treatment 3/8
In June I wrote this piece to create awareness, emphasise societal impact, explain importance of research to gain knowledge & guide treatment 3/8
https://twitter.com/guardian/status/1277285435656544256
Over time, as for many #longcovid patients and advocates, it was important for me to see, albeit slow, the change in public awareness, the first clinics being opened, politicians acknowledging #longcovid, research funding being prioritised, and a guideline being created 4/8
Unfortunately, the long covid group is still growing and many have not received proper healthcare, financial and/or mental support yet.
Surprisingly, #longcovid is still not an official covid outcome, and as such, not considered in decision making nor in risk communication. 5/8
Surprisingly, #longcovid is still not an official covid outcome, and as such, not considered in decision making nor in risk communication. 5/8
Importantly, we still don’t know the cause nor long-term consequences of Long covid.
I wrote In June “Until we develop this medical and scientific knowledge, healthcare professionals won’t have the guidance needed to treat these patients”
This is still true 9 months later 6/8
I wrote In June “Until we develop this medical and scientific knowledge, healthcare professionals won’t have the guidance needed to treat these patients”
This is still true 9 months later 6/8
I ended with ‘We should focus on suppressing the virus as much as possible, even attempting to eliminate it, while we wait for the development of a vaccine’.
Fortunately the vaccines arrived, so we have hope they may prevent besides deaths, many severe and long covid illness 7/8
Fortunately the vaccines arrived, so we have hope they may prevent besides deaths, many severe and long covid illness 7/8
I was unlucky to catch the virus early on. For me #longcovid was the outcome.
Though a bitter pill to swallow, I am grateful for:
- support of friends & family
- healthcare professionals sticking with me
- feeling better
🙏 stay safe 🙏 persevere
#InThisTogether 💙💙 💙 8/8
Though a bitter pill to swallow, I am grateful for:
- support of friends & family
- healthcare professionals sticking with me
- feeling better
🙏 stay safe 🙏 persevere
#InThisTogether 💙💙 💙 8/8
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