A recent NPR article looks at how long Covid impacts millions living and working in the United States.
“Long Covid” or “Post Covid” is condition in which symptoms continue even after someone recovers from a Covid infection. And the symptoms and severity vary with each person. But some common reported symptoms include fatigue, chronic headaches, fever, depression, pain, and many other issues.
We first reported on long Covid on June 1, 2020, after it was first recognized in children. Later, it was recognized in adults, also. In fact, we continue to report on it and consider it a priority public health issue.
Millions out of Work
NPR reports that “millions of people may be sidelined from their jobs due to long COVID.” They interviewed Katie Bach, a senior fellow with the Brookings Institution. She pulled data from multiple public sources to determine the impact on the workforce. And she conservatively concluded that long Covid has sidelined 4 million workers. As she points out in the interview, “That’s 2.4% of the U.S. working population.”
Since Long Covid was discovered, those impacted may get benefits under federal law, including Americans with Disabilities Act.
However, as the NPR article underscores, “The problem with coming up with accommodations for long COVID is that there are so many unknowns. The duration and severity of symptoms vary wildly from person to person.”
NPR reports that the U.S. Department of Labor has been collecting data and input on future policies to make it possible for those with long Covid to continue working.
We will continue to monitor this important public health issue. And in the future, we will develop tools and guides to assist those that long Covid impacts.
Illustration by Natasha Remarchuk