Don’t dismiss Omicron as ‘mild’. Take it from a Covid long-hauler | JD Davids

At least 10% of those who survive any Covid infection – whether asymptomatic or severe – will develop long Covid

On Wednesday, the New York Times – and others – published what appeared to be good news. “Omicron infections seem to be milder, three research teams report” read the headline. Many readers must have been relieved to see this news, especially with cases sky-rocketing even as the holiday season is in full swing.

As someone living with post-viral conditions exacerbated by Long Covid, I read the story carefully. I noted the preliminary nature of the data from South Africa, Scotland and England, and the prediction that the greater infectiousness of Omicron would still likely land many people in hospitals already strained to capacity.

JD Davids, a health justice strategist working with networks of disabled and chronically ill people, including people living with HIV, long Covid and ME/CFS, is the lead author of Chronic Injustice: Centering Equitable Health Care and Policies for COVID-19 and Other Chronic Conditions. He has served as an external expert advisor to the NIH and CDC, is a contributing member of the Patient-Led Research Collaborative, and is the founder of Strategies for High Impact (S4HI)

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Coronavirus | The Guardian

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