Story, Photos, and Audio by Matthew Rice
COVID-19 was accompanied with more than just here today gone tomorrow symptoms. For some, it was just an aggressive Influenza but for others, it caused long-term cognitive injuries.
In 2020, America had no shortage of major events. From the 2020 United States Presidential Election and the deadly storming of the Capitol to the horrific passing of George Floyd and global protests, it’s clear that 2020 was a year for the history books especially for mental health. Even with a tall list of events, there was an illness that shocked the world and thrusted America into a pandemic that caused a recession to rival the 1930s. That illness is called COVID-19
The Pandemic Effect
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2. According to the Center for Disease Control, the first laboratory-confirmed case in the US was on January 20, 2020, when a 35-year-old Snohomish County, Washington man went to the doctor’s office. His symptoms included a cough, fever, nausea, and vomiting. This marked the beginning stages of what ended up being a tragic time in the United States. As of April 26, 2023, more than 1.1 million deaths from COVID-19 have been reported and new diagnoses each day.
“It was the hardest thing that I’ve ever experienced in my life. I am old. I have seen a lot. I don’t say that to brag young man. I say this because I have been able to endure. What hurts is, I was able to kick the virus, but I couldn’t’ endure or stand in the place of my sister. She died and my endurance felt more like a curse than a gift and now I am dealing with these lasting symptoms. I’m stressed and the only thing I wonder is if she would still be here if she could’ve gotten the vaccine”, Exclaimed Mr. Dupree.
Vaccines have been said to be the greatest defender against COVID however, vaccinations only reduce the chance of contracting COVID-19 but drastically decrease dying or being hospitalized.
As the virus has been under control in recent years due to the ongoing efforts from researchers and doctors, the aftereffects from the virus weren’t expected. It goes to show that in the height of the pandemic containing and preventing the spread of the virus was crucial but looking ahead during the chaos wasn’t in the cards.
The Unexpected Effect
“I recognize that I am not the same. It takes me longer complete tasks that I have done for years on the job. There are even times where I forget certain aspects of things that I love dong,” stated Jason.
According to the American Lung Association, during their lifespan, the average American gets sick 2-4 times a year. Most of these illnesses do not carry long term effects. With COVID-19, this has not been the case. While some individuals were able to bounce back to normal after being infected there exists a group that have been dealt serious cognitive issues that could continue for years.
Jason much like others in this unfortunate situation is considered to be a “Covid Long Hauler” or a person suffering from Long COVID. This condition is where symptoms that surface after recovering from COVID-19 linger for weeks, months, or even years (Yale Medicine, 2023) but what is even more frightening is that the condition is still a mystery to doctors and researchers. A mystery that scares patients like Jason.
“Imagine being one of the go-to technicians for various projects related to important aircraft assets to requiring aid and assistants with those tasks,” Jason said.
Jason is passionate about his work but after he contracted COVID-19 twice he is feeling the lasting effects that hinder him from becoming who he wants to be.
“The Brain Fog is the worst”. I’ve tried almost everything that they can think of, but nothing seems to be effective. I know that I am in the best shape of my life but that doesn’t seem to matter.” Jason claimed.
“The COVID Timeline”. Infographic by Matthew Rice
What is Brain Fog and How is it Treated?
Brain Fog can be considered symptoms that include forgetfulness and problems focusing, concentrating, and paying attention. Along with this condition being grouped with the mystery mentioned earlier, the Blood Institute and the National Cancer Institute have concluded that the virus that causes COVID—19 can linger in a person’s gut after infection. The changes in the gut’s function are linked to the cognitive changes in an individual.
“There are various treatments for Brain Fog after COVID-19 such as prescription medication. For those who can, regular exercise to include jumping jacks and low impact movements can help. This also goes hand in hand with what the patient is putting into their body in terms of food and drink”, Romalace stated.
Romalace was in nursing school during the pandemic and has seen the best- and worst-case scenarios during the pandemic. He also has experience with Long COVID patients. Nearly 1 of 5 Americans are experiencing Long Covid.
“The mysterious part of all of this is that we can do our best to treat a patient but not everyone is going to get the same results. Some may experience nothing at all which isn’t bad because it’s not worse. There are some that recognize a difference that trends in the positive direction. Those are definitely the patients that we like to see but sometimes it can seem to be hit or miss”, Romalace said.
Moving Through the Fog
“I think that it is safe to say that I 100% survived COVID-19 but I believe that the correct term is blessed. There are some who didn’t get the same opportunity that I have. As I was navigating through it all, I realized that others weren’t as fortunate. It makes me sad but puts me in the mindset of not wasting life. I think of those people often and who they were to their families or who they wanted to be for a family. I can’t waste my shot that others didn’t get”, Arsenio stated.
There are some aspects of the virus that are unexplained as there is with other medical conditions.
“The best advice I can give is minimize stress, be kind to yourself, eat right and if you can stay active. I don’t know if that will improve your odds with your symptoms, but you’ll be in better condition to fight it”, Arsenio claims.
If anyone is experiences symptoms from COVID-19, it is wise to be seen by a doctor. Although there are vaccines and other treatments, the possibility of being a Long COVID patient is there, and it is still a mystery.