So far this year, most metrics for measuring the COVID pandemic have been trending downward. On average, there are fewer deaths, hospitalizations and overall infections, while traces of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in wastewater have dropped. Antiviral drugs and vaccines still work, even against XBB.1.5, the most dominant variant the last several months. We understand how to fight this disease better than ever compared to three years ago and the good news is that we seem to be winning. For now.
Unfortunately, none of this means the pandemic is truly "over." And it's especially not over for a certain subset of the population: the long COVID community. Long COVID, technically known as Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), is a broad category of chronic illnesses that linger long after catching the virus, usually with symptoms persisting for three months or more. And as the rest of the country moves on, many of those with long COVID feel they're being left behind and forgotten.
