Research Shortage in Long and Post Covid
The consequences of the corona infections are hard to foresee, specialists speak of a widespread disease. But instead of closing knowledge gaps, bureaucracy and information deficits paralyze the system. One of the noblest phrases born in the anguish of the epidemic and widespread with gratitude by politicians also evoked the most beautiful associations: we should come before the wave. Unfortunately, we have not reached the present day. Everyone is always chasing. There is no security. Meanwhile, with the abundance of Corona late clinical effects, we arrived where we were with the waves of the virus two years ago: we are “fighting”, as it is called in youth and specialized terms.
Anyway, at the first German conference Covid-19 last week in Jena, experts from a wide range of medical and scientific areas circulated around the phenomenon, which some declared a “new and widespread disease” and others not because of the possibility. (but not right) of millions of people. Those affected in the country are ready to take things seriously as long as the postcovid period is not always measurable. Something similar was observed at the Annual Meeting of Neurologists. Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach describes the situation as a “research emergency”.
Research, Information and Disinformation in Emergencies
In simple language, that means: act quickly, despite uncertainty. Some studies are on their way, but bureaucratic obstacles are formidable. Nothing improved. Instead of an explanation, there are basically lawsuits. In addition to the lack of research, there is a lack of information and misinformation – a causal chain of discouragement: many GPS, which turn to absolutely overloaded COVID patients, often desperately desperate, are usually not familiar or not familiar with the clinical picture. As?
The result: patients are psychologically stigmatized or, at worst, deny their agony – clinically destroyed, as it were. As more people are infected, Long Covid will become a decisive test in terms of health policy and research. It is like chronic fatigue syndrome related to ME/CFS: Progression risks being delayed. Most of us have no idea what are the possible late effects after a viral-post-viral infection. However, if medical students have almost heard anything about it for decades, there is only one thing to do: act.
