Our cover story this week steps back from the news agenda to explore the impact of living with long Covid. For millions of people worldwide who have survived initial infection with the virus, recovery is slow. Symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue and loss of smell or taste persist for months and, as our science editor Ian Sample explains, treatments that work for some may not be successful for others. Through case studies and data our main feature examines how patients are facing up to the long tail of infection and how research may lead to painting a fuller picture of the aftermath of such a debilitating illness and finding treatments.
This week delegates to the Chinese Communist party’s 20th congress are in Beijing where they are expected to rubber stamp Xi Jinping’s historic third term as leader. Our big story looks at what the president’s supremacy means for the country and its closest neighbour – Taiwan – which lives in the shadow of Xi’s avowed intention to bring the island back under China’s tutelage. As well as analysis of the key points of Xi’s opening speech, correspondent Helen Davidson reports on a rare and pointed protest on the eve of the congress. The banners complaining about lockdowns necessitated by the country’s zero-Covid policy suggest that, beyond the delegates dutifully applauding inside the Great Hall of the People, there is discontent among ordinary Chinese citizens.
