195: Long COVID (w/Tara Haelle)

In the early days of the pandemic, most of the cultural focus was on the necessity of quarantine measures and the distinction between mild and severe COVID infections. Yet by May 2020, some were experiencing the phenomenon of long COVID. Now understood as a post-acute infection syndrome, patients suffering from it have endured mockery, stigmatization, and accusations of lying. Nonetheless, support and patient advocacy groups have led the way, first in demanding medical and social recognition, and now in consulting with receptive researchers on diagnosis and treatment. We’re joined by science journalist Tara Haelle, whose work has appeared in Scientific American, NY Times, Washington Post, and more. She’s also the Infectious Disease Core Topic Leader at the Association of Health Journalists. Her work covering the pandemic, vaccines, and the Long COVID connection, which combines reporting on the latest science as well as writing from patients and patient advocates, has been indispensable in understanding this spectrum of diseases. Show Notes Possible contender for a Long COVID blood test RECOVER trial for Long COVID Treatments New Yorker on the Yale LISTEN Study LISTEN Study website 50% average lower prevalence in vaccinated people. Tara Haelle’s Long COVID Connection project. Opinion | Ed Yong: Reporting on Long Covid Taught Me to Be a Better Journalist - The New York Times Six Ways of Looking at Crip Time | Disability Studies Quarterly COVERING LONG COVID | Lygia Navarro The Sick Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices