First of all, the Houston Health Department reports another increase in the COVID-19 positivity rate (14.6%) and the wastewater load is at 132%, which remains the same compared to last week. Slowly, there seems to be more worry about a summer uptick in positivity and hospitalizations. Unfortunately, the media and government officials still call it “low” rather than be alarmed about it to provide guidance.
One bit of news coming from the Biden Administration is the formation of a Long COVID research office within Health and Human Services.
On Monday, HHS announced the formation of the Office of Long COVID Research and Practice to lead the federal government’s response to long Covid, a sometimes-debilitating condition marked by symptoms of Covid-19 that last weeks or months beyond the initial infection. It’s estimated that up to 23 million people in the United States have developed long Covid.
In Monday’s announcement, HHS officials applauded the launch of long-awaited clinical trials for long Covid patients through the National Institutes of Health’s RECOVER Initiative. The initiative, launched in 2021, is a $1.15 billion nationwide research program aimed at better understanding, treating and preventing long Covid.
“As our nation continues to make strides in combating COVID-19, it is crucial that we address the impact of Long COVID and provide resources to those in need,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in the announcement. “Last year President Biden called on HHS to coordinate the response to Long COVID. The Official establishment of the Long COVID Coordinating office and the launch of the RECOVER clinical trials solidifies this issue as an ongoing priority.”
In May, the RECOVER Initiative published research that identified 12 symptoms that can reliably classify someone as having long Covid: the worsening of health after mental or physical activity; fatigue; brain fog; dizziness; gastrointestinal symptoms; heart palpitations; changes in sexual desire or capacity; loss of or change in taste or smell; thirst; chronic cough; chest pain; and abnormal movements.
I’m glad to see long COVID acknowledged as enough of a thing to be addressed and effectively treated, since over 23 million have developed long COVID after infection. If one suffers through long COVID after one infection, I can’t even imagine the damage that occurs after multiple infections.
So, get your boosters updated. The feds won’t say it because it costs votes, but masking is effective if you use a KN-95, or similar filtered mask. Use one at the office, at the store, at the doctor’s office, or anywhere with crowds.
And if you’re afflicted by long COVID symptoms, advocate for yourself, speak to your doctor, perhaps inform them of HHS’s program. Maybe you can get into a clinical trial.