▲ 110 ▼ Opinion: Long COVID is debilitating to me and 65 million other people. Where is the urgency to treat it? (www.latimes.com) submitted 3 years ago by stopthatgirl7@kbin.social to c/news@lemmy.world 15 comments fedilink hide all child comments The mobilization against COVID-19 was impressive. A similar investment is needed to understand and treat the chronic resulting illness.
[–] mojo@lemm.ee 0 points 3 years ago (1 child) That investment is needed way more for other things, just like the 3693648 neglected things we need to have more focus on. permalink fedilink source hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] yumpsuit@lemmy.world 7 points 3 years ago (2 children) Mass disability is fucking expensive, actually.. You can care about fiscal responsibility without throwing inconvenient human beings under the bus. Even with the nebulous definitions, the significant economic impact of long COVID is clear. In July 2022 update of earlier figures, David Cutler of Harvard University estimates that the total economic cost of long COVID is $3.7 trillion. That’s $11,000 per capita or 17% of the 2019 gross domestic product (GDP). Cutler subdivides these costs into three components: Quality of life (QALY), which comprises 59% of the overall cost, or $2.195 trillion Lost earnings of $997 billion Medical care spending: $528 billion The Brookings report warns that Cutler’s estimate may actually be incomplete in that it does not include the economic impact of lower productivity (i.e., due to caretaking for others or working while ill). permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] Balios@kbin.social 2 points 3 years ago Yeah, but it's not noticeable to the billionaires, so they don't see a reason to act. permalink fedilink source parent [–] mojo@lemm.ee 0 points 3 years ago (1 child) Why are you telling me this permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] yumpsuit@lemmy.world 6 points 3 years ago Because I agree with the idea in your post that better things are still possible, and I don’t want you to give up on caring about this one thing and those 65 million people. Please do not parrot the ableism of austerity-brained politicians. Being able-bodied can be extremely temporary, and America treats disabled folks horribly. Support them. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] yumpsuit@lemmy.world 7 points 3 years ago (2 children) Mass disability is fucking expensive, actually.. You can care about fiscal responsibility without throwing inconvenient human beings under the bus. Even with the nebulous definitions, the significant economic impact of long COVID is clear. In July 2022 update of earlier figures, David Cutler of Harvard University estimates that the total economic cost of long COVID is $3.7 trillion. That’s $11,000 per capita or 17% of the 2019 gross domestic product (GDP). Cutler subdivides these costs into three components: Quality of life (QALY), which comprises 59% of the overall cost, or $2.195 trillion Lost earnings of $997 billion Medical care spending: $528 billion The Brookings report warns that Cutler’s estimate may actually be incomplete in that it does not include the economic impact of lower productivity (i.e., due to caretaking for others or working while ill). permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 4 child comments replies: [–] Balios@kbin.social 2 points 3 years ago Yeah, but it's not noticeable to the billionaires, so they don't see a reason to act. permalink fedilink source parent [–] mojo@lemm.ee 0 points 3 years ago (1 child) Why are you telling me this permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] yumpsuit@lemmy.world 6 points 3 years ago Because I agree with the idea in your post that better things are still possible, and I don’t want you to give up on caring about this one thing and those 65 million people. Please do not parrot the ableism of austerity-brained politicians. Being able-bodied can be extremely temporary, and America treats disabled folks horribly. Support them. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] Balios@kbin.social 2 points 3 years ago Yeah, but it's not noticeable to the billionaires, so they don't see a reason to act. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] mojo@lemm.ee 0 points 3 years ago (1 child) Why are you telling me this permalink fedilink source parent hideshow 2 child comments replies: [–] yumpsuit@lemmy.world 6 points 3 years ago Because I agree with the idea in your post that better things are still possible, and I don’t want you to give up on caring about this one thing and those 65 million people. Please do not parrot the ableism of austerity-brained politicians. Being able-bodied can be extremely temporary, and America treats disabled folks horribly. Support them. permalink fedilink source parent
[–] yumpsuit@lemmy.world 6 points 3 years ago Because I agree with the idea in your post that better things are still possible, and I don’t want you to give up on caring about this one thing and those 65 million people. Please do not parrot the ableism of austerity-brained politicians. Being able-bodied can be extremely temporary, and America treats disabled folks horribly. Support them. permalink fedilink source parent