Let’s Talk New Mexico 6/9, 8am: Across the country nearly 50 million people infected with the coronavirus are still coping weeks and months later with an array of symptoms. They’re struggling to take care of themselves, their families and to return to work, and desperately seeking medical answers. Research by the CDC indicates that 1 in 5 adult COVID survivors may develop Long COVID. These health problems can affect many different organ systems, including the heart, lungs and kidneys. There can also be issues in blood circulation, the musculoskeletal system and the endocrine system. Long haulers may also experience gastrointestinal conditions, neurological problems and psychiatric symptoms.
These issues are impacting families, communities and workplaces with one estimate that Long COVID could account for 15% of unfilled jobs across the country.
This week on Let’s Talk New Mexico we’re talking Long COVID with several people who are survivors, as well as health care officials about what kinds of treatments are available and how doctors can learn to spot the symptoms in their patients. And we want to hear from you. Are you suffering from lingering effects of COVID? What impact has Long COVID had on you or loved ones? What has been your experience seeking treatment? How has this affected your ability to work?
Email us at LetsTalk@kunm.org or call in live during the show at 505-277-5866.
GUESTS:
- Alisa Valdes, long COVID survivor
- Chasity Salvador, long COVID survivor
- Emily Koplik, long COVID survivor
- Dr. Michelle Harkins - Division Chief, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Co-Chief, Adult Center for Critical Care Professor of Medicine. Also Project ECHO.
- Dr. Vesta Sandoval, chief medical office, Lovelace Health System New Mexico
RESOURCES:
- Lovelace Health System Post-COVID Recovery Center
- Project ECHO Post-COVID Primary Care Program
- RECOVER: Research COVID To Enhance Recovery - NIH study seeking people with long COVID to share their experiences
- Body Politic Support Group, a global network of COVID-19 patients, chronic illness allies, and health and disability advocates
- Patient-Led Research Collaborative — for Long COVID.
- Long-haul COVID: The ongoing impact of the pandemic in Indigenous communities - column by Chasity Salvador
- In rare cases, coronavirus vaccines may cause Long Covid–like symptoms - Science
- A Tsunami of Disability Is Coming as a Result of ‘Long COVID’ - Scientific American
- COVID long-haulers feel abandoned and invisible - Source New Mexico
- Over 75 percent of long Covid patients were not hospitalized for an initial illness, a study finds - New York Times
- Guidance on long COVID as a disability - HHS.gov
