Thread by @loscharlos

Today is 3 years since my last run — I’ve been stuck on biological house arrest ever since with #LongCovid

Every week — people who thought this could never happen to them — are devastated to join this nightmare.

Here’s 4 things you can do to help on #LongCovidAwarenessDay

1. Please write your reps today

Over the past few months we’ve learned Congress is not hearing from us at all — This needs to change. They need to feel our wrath.

Here’s a fantastic letter from @LongCovidAP — takes 1 min.

Everyone should do this.
actionnetwork.org/letters/help-e…

2. Take 5, 10 or 20 min of your day to learn more about #LongCovid

Read: nyti.ms/3TgLvrL
Watch: bit.ly/3JQ0OVz
Listen: spoti.fi/405v7wz
Dive deep: go.nature.com/3ZO83ml

Bonus read: bit.ly/42hv6HA
Bonus listen: spoti.fi/3YY4OHS

3. Go through the #LongCovid & #LongCovidAwarenessDay hashtags to read our stories & amplify some — We need all the help we can get.

We’re all trying to get some semblance of livelihood back, while trying to warn others — This condition is as horrible as we’re trying to describe

4. If you’re not wearing a mask in public spaces, please reconsider.

I get social conformity is the driving factor for most human behavior — but the amount of suffering & agony you can save by wearing a mask at pharmacy, grocery, transit, etc is immeasurable. Be a fkn rebel.

(Bonus) consider supporting one of the grassroots orgs supporting #LongCovid & associated conditions:

— @patientled / @long_covid / @LongCovidKids / @LongCovidSOS / @LongCovidAP @LongCOVIDPhysio / @Dysautonomia / @MEActNet / @PlzSolveCFS / @C19LH_Advocacy / @itsbodypolitic

Quick things to understand about #LongCovid:

• 75% of cases are from mild infection • 5-30% of all infections result in LC
• Vaccine does not prevent it, but may reduce odds 15-50%
• Prior infection does not protect you from LC on reinfection
• Up the 2/3 or not recovering.

Special shout out to @TheExtraFiles & @haziethompson for organizing #LongCovidAwarenessDay — it’s super inspiring to see patients continue to step up and contribute in their own way.

I encourage everybody else to start thinking “what can I do?” and do it!

Oh and truly lastly — there are no approved #LongCovid treatments, there is no public warning, there’s no disability support — & current pace of clinical trials are years away from valuable answers.

If it sounds like a disaster — it is —and that’s why we need your help.