Long Haulers

I think I can just see a little light around the bend of this COVID-19 pandemic.  The fear that many healthcare professionals have is that as more people receive their vaccines the public does not become too confident and stop adhering to the basic rules of public health that have helped us get here.

There is not a person alive that does not want to go out and enjoy life as we once knew it but we must continue to adhere to the teachings of Dr. Fauci and other experts.  

Face coverings are here for a while longer.  Remember that gaiters and vented masks are truly considered obsolete because of their compromised ability to protect you.

One of the most confounding problems we are seeing with this pandemic is the fate of the “Long Haulers”.  These are the people who are still suffering from the sequela conditions of COVIF-19.   These souls present with a huge array of signs and symptoms from COVID-19 that keeps growing and growing. Studies are showing that 35% or more of people with COVID-19 will be affected.

The affects are not just the typical respiratory symptoms one would expect but they include just about every system in the body imaginable.  Such symptoms include pain, dry eyes, rashes, muscle weakness, hearing loss, confusion, or brain fog. Others have shown sharp pains in the chest, thyroid problems, seizures, strokes, blood clots, ringing in the ears, and depression. The list, unfortunately, goes on and on affecting more than one organ system at a time.

These symptoms have lasted more than six months in many and unfortunately in some, the damage will be permanent.  Meaning that these problems will be with them for the rest of their lives.  Yet medical science does not have a therapeutic intervention for many of these “Long Haulers”. 

With the advent of mutations, we need to be acutely aware of how destructive COVID-19 has been.   What these mutations will bring to the table is not totally known. We have seen versions that are more easily infecting, and increased virulence.  What will be next no one really knows.

That is why complacency and a cavalier attitude have no place here. We see states softening their mandates of wearing a mask.  The fear is that we will see a resurgence of the virus. 

Stay the course. Wear an effective mask. Continue to practice safe distancing and use proper handwashing and hygiene.  Over 500,020 souls have been lost.  Countless more will be affected with the Long Haulers’ syndrome.  The sequel for this world is unknown but will surely be long and arduous.