Thread by @TaraNerte

Brilliant, wide-ranging conversation: @EricTopol & @ahandvanish
If you don’t care about #LongCovid, you should. Even if it never affects you directly, it is a mass-disabling event that’s unravelling society.
🧵: 1/

https://twitter.com/EricTopol/status/1666141712178368512

On the disbelief/doubt/minimization/disrespect #LongCovid patients still encounter daily: “It’s just a staggering, staggering lack of empathy. And I think it’s also fear and a defense mechanism... 2/

“People want to believe that they have more control over their lives than they do, & they want to believe that it’s not possible for them personally to get a virus & then never recover & have their life changed so substantially.” #LongCovid @ahandvanish 3/

On frustrations with govt-funded #LongCovid research: “You’ve got to take [patients] seriously, not just ... put them at the kiddie table... Why isn’t there a clinical trial testing any treatment? ... for the billion dollars ... It’s so vexing to see this waste...” @EricTopol 4/

On the many newly sick with #LongCovid post-Omicron: “They’re angry... They were lied to that they were safe.” @ahandvanish

So far, the only way to prevent #LongCovid is to not get infected. We need better vaccines, & ventilation, clean indoor air, respirators. #DavosSafe 5/

Some other points:
✴️symptoms vs sequelae/conditions: the full range must be documented/studied
✴️*danger* of exercise to those with PEM/PESE: it’s unreal that $ is being spent on these studies
✴️several promising treatments awaiting funding for trials 6/

#LongCovid is still upending lives of young, healthy, active people.

Grateful for many humble, innovative scientists collaborating to find biomarkers & real treatments.

Governments: fund their work!

/end

@LisaAMcCorkell @julialmv @VirusesImmunity @PutrinoLab @doctorasadkhan @resiapretorius @drclairetaylor @calirunnerdoc @Sunny_Rae1 @LongCovidKids @WesElyMD @loscharlos @haziethompson @elisaperego78 @LauraMiers @r_prior @zalaly