What’s the deal w/ Long Covid?

March 15th is International Long Covid Awareness Day. In this segment, Maeve Sherry, a local clean air advocate, delves deep into the struggles and realities of living with this condition. With personal insight and dedication to community advocacy, Maeve explores Long Covid not just as a medical issue, but as a social one — shaped by systemic challenges, including the harsh realities of capitalism. They share research, statistics, and practical insights on how we can care for one another as we navigate this ongoing crisis. Maeve’s message is clear: Long Covid affects us all, and understanding, supporting, and standing together is the key to moving forward. This story is produced for the Hudson Mohawk Magazine by A’Livija Mullins-Richard, project lead for Air Justice Lab.

Sources and Resources mentioned in story: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, June 22). CDC reports on Long Covid [Press release]. Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2022/20220622.htm

Long Covid Justice. Long Covid essentials. Retrieved from longcovidjustice.org/long-covid-essentials/

The Black Long Covid Experience. Retrieved from www.blacklongcovidexperience.com

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (n.d.). One-pager: Long COVID definition. Retrieved from nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/27768/One_pager_Long_COVID_Definition.pdf

Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP). (2025, March 13). New AI tool ferrets out Long Covid cases in patient records, estimates 23% prevalence. Retrieved from www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/new-ai-tool-ferrets-out-long-covid-cases-patient-records-estimates-23-prevalence