“In the earliest days of the AIDS crisis, America ignored the problem, even though people were dropping dead by the thousands.
We’re repeating the mistake now with long COVID. Millions are suffering, but the government has largely turned its back, as new cases emerge with each passing wave.”
@luckytran Just as #AIDS wasn't a 'gay' problem, #Covid is not just affecting the sufferer. #LongCovid is seriously impacting the economy.
Previously intelligent politicians are exhibiting all the signs of cognitive impairment that goes with more than a couple of infections. Antivirals only reduce the severity of symptoms. They don't reduce the damage. #EarlyOnsetDementia
As someone who has had #MECFS for 14 years, I can categorically tell you your government and mine ignored this problem for decades and are certainly going to ignore it again.
@luckytran Those of us who lived through the awful early years of AIDS -- for a stretch I was burying roughly a friend per month -- have had a sinking feeling about this for a long time. And it's not getting better.
@luckytran The CDC actually did a pretty good job of figuring out AIDS. They identified it as a new virus, figured out how it spread, and identified how to prevent spreading it. Much better job than they have done with COVID.
@luckytran Can I make the gentle suggestion for everyone to never compare COVID to the AIDS crisis ever again?
If you don't understand the lives and experiences of gay men enough to realize how ridiculously insensitive that is, just follow one simple word of advice: Stop!
Most of those who don't take COVID seriously are the same types who wanted us to die of AIDS to begin with. They're the ones who are sending armed gunmen to our gay social events.
"And they need our help. The rest of America isn’t seeing the full effects of this because so many people with long COVID are homebound, confined to their beds.
“I hope there’s more people out there like me, who consider themselves allies,” says Paul Hennessy, who helped organize this on behalf of suffering friends.
“They need folks to pass the baton to, who can fight for them.” "