LIVING WITH LONG COVID
2. More Mild Long COVID +
Less Contextual Support
With less access to resources and fewer supports available, even a milder case of Long COVID can add complexity and difficulty to people’s lives.
Challenges these individuals face
- Long COVID may impact their performance at work or school. They may need accommodations that they are unable to get.
- They may doubt or second guess their health experiences, and may feel uncomfortable opening up to colleagues, family, friends, and providers.
- They may have fewer support networks or supportive individuals to assist as needed.
- They may feel isolation as a result of being unable to do as much as they did prior.
“I can’t do everything all at one time. One task for one time, that’s it. I don’t multitask anymore. If I’m going out to get the mail, or if I’m taking the cats out when they want to go outside, that’s all I’m doing.” —Madison, product designer, sister, and person with Long COVID
3. More Severe Long COVID +
More Contextual Support
More resources and support mean more “guardrails” to prevent a severe case of Long COVID from totally upending someone’s living stability. Nonetheless, the illness can still be devastating to the individual and their loved ones.
Challenges these individuals face
- They need robust medical assistance, and spend inordinate time, energy, and money seeking care.
- Their caregivers take on many additional responsibilities, such as attending medical appointments, filing paperwork, and doing household chores.
- They may need to leave work or school, permanently or temporarily. Even with assistance, they may struggle to apply for disability insurance.
- Because their ability to stay employed or in school is directly affected, they may question their self-worth and identity.
“I used to have purpose. My day was filled with things that I was excited about, projects that I wanted to do, people that I wanted to see. ... Now my life is pretty much just me, my three dogs, and Netflix.” —RaMell, jewelry designer, entrepreneur, and person with Long COVID
4. More Mild Long COVID +
More Contextual Support
A milder case of Long COVID, even with more resources and support in place, may still cause complications and frustrations, but they are generally manageable.
Challenges these individuals face
- They may have difficulty working or studying the same way they did before. They may need changes or adjustments in workplace and educational settings.
- They may second-guess the validity of their symptoms, and/or may not be able to tie symptoms back to COVID-19.
- They may feel isolation as a result of being unable to do as much as they did prior.
“I used to like running when I had the time, but this is when I wonder, like, is this Long COVID, and do I need to be seen? Or am I just aging and a little more out of shape than I was before? And that’s part of why I don’t get seen. I don’t want them to just tell me, ‘Oh, you’ve put on some weight. Make some life changes and you’ll be just fine,’ because I know I need to do that, too.” —Briyana, nonprofit administrator, mother, and person with Long COVID