Opinion: Long COVID is debilitating to me and 65 million other people. Where is the urgency to treat it?
Opinion: Long COVID is debilitating to me and 65 million other people. Where is the urgency to treat it?
The mobilization against COVID-19 was impressive. A similar investment is needed to understand and treat the chronic resulting illness.
The mobilization against COVID-19 was impressive. A similar investment is needed to understand and treat the chronic resulting illness.
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That investment is needed way more for other things, just like the 3693648 neglected things we need to have more focus on.
Mass disability is fucking expensive, actually.. You can care about fiscal responsibility without throwing inconvenient human beings under the bus.
Even with the nebulous definitions, the significant economic impact of long COVID is clear. In July 2022 update of earlier figures, David Cutler of Harvard University estimates that the total economic cost of long COVID is $3.7 trillion. That’s $11,000 per capita or 17% of the 2019 gross domestic product (GDP).
Cutler subdivides these costs into three components:
Quality of life (QALY), which comprises 59% of the overall cost, or $2.195 trillion Lost earnings of $997 billion Medical care spending: $528 billion
The Brookings report warns that Cutler’s estimate may actually be incomplete in that it does not include the economic impact of lower productivity (i.e., due to caretaking for others or working while ill).
Yeah, but it's not noticeable to the billionaires, so they don't see a reason to act.
Why are you telling me this
Because I agree with the idea in your post that better things are still possible, and I don’t want you to give up on caring about this one thing and those 65 million people.
Please do not parrot the ableism of austerity-brained politicians. Being able-bodied can be extremely temporary, and America treats disabled folks horribly. Support them.