Thread by @LygiaNavarro

Shame on @nataliesurely and @emilyecooke for Shure's lazily-reported, ableist, misogynist article on #LongCovid in @newrepublic. It appears that Shure did not speak to a SINGLE longhauler, #pwME, or legitimate LC researcher.
#MECFS #neisvoid
1/

@nataliesurely and @emilyecooke seem to think that it's cute and sexy to drum up drama about whether #LongCovid is *real.* Such an original take!

There are SO many errors and holes in Shure's reporting. The fact is that she didn't do the real reporting required.
2/
#neisvoid

Trying to sell the idea that #LongCovid has a psychological origin is easy: it fits right in with the racism and misogyny so many of us w post-infectious illness have dealt with for decades.

There are numerous studies that have shown concrete biomarkers of LC and #MECFS.
3/

But @nataliesurely didn't actually spend the time on research to see that people w #LongCovid have viral persistence.
And putting microclots in ""? That's just insulting to the work of #teamclots researchers like @resiapretorius @dbkell @microbeminded2 @VirusesImmunity
4/

But @nataliesurely and @newrepublic didn't actually speak to any of those researchers.

I have done all of that reading. Why? Because I've had #LongCovid for nearly 2 years. I am not anxious. I am not depressed. What I am is sick of lazy journalists doing longhaulers dirty...
5/

by peddling this misinformation.

Many of us already have to deal with drs/friends/family treating us with disbelief/suspicion. Articles like this from @newrepublic @nataliesurely are going to make life a LOT worse for many people w #LongCovid. How can you sleep knowing that?
6/

@nataliesurely, you need to learn about #ableism & the chronic illness & #disability communities. You do NOT have a right to write about us without us. You have an ethical obligation as a journalist (which I also am) to not harm marginalized people--which you've done.
#MECFS
7/

That @newrepublic, a magazine from the left, is calling #disabled & vulnerable people's lives into question is offensive. What about progressives caring about social justice? This article is an injustice to disabled, chronically ill people (most of whom are women & BIPOC).
8/

Journalists and editors covering #LongCovid, do better!

It's not hard. Longhauler journalists are doing a stellar job, like @mileswgriffis & @fi_lowenstein (who Shure wrote about but doesn't seem to have bothered to speak to.)
/end
#MECFS #neisvoid