One of the big news stories right now is about long covid and the disabilities it has inflicted upon
people. If you weren’t fully aware of the situation, long covid is a strange phenomenon that
affects some people who caught COVID-19 during the pandemic. It has left them with a plethora
of medical issues which impact their daily lives and persist for months, if not years. It is
seemingly unknown why some people contracted these symptoms and others did not, but it has
proven to be a life-changing condition. Many medical experts are now starting to classify it as a
disability as it has proven to be an extremely life-limiting and restrictive issue.
Naturally, the issue has once again opened up a discourse as to the nature of disabilities and
how we support those people who have disabilities. There are some people who feel that
medical aid is all these individuals need, whereas other people feel that they should be entitled
to a certain level of disability support and recognition. These people have possibly lifelong, life-
changing issues, and it is impacting the way that they interact with the world. There are many
who feel that this is the definition of a disability.
As lifelong advocates for more recognition and support for disabilities, we acknowledge that
long covid getting attention is no bad thing. Disabilities affect so many people yet for countless
reasons, they often find themselves invisible, living in a world which doesn’t care for them. If we
acknowledge long covid is a disability – affording many the respect they do deserve – then
countries around the world will have to cede to what is, ultimately, peer pressure from the
masses, and start to make changes to their support for disabled people. These reforms will
naturally benefit anyone with a disability, so it works out for everyone.
At the end of the day, if we’re being completely honest, it boils down to respect for people who
have life-changing or altering conditions, irrespective of whether they were born with them or
acquired them throughout their lives. We can’t discriminate against different disabilities – that
undermines the core concept of equality and support for anyone who does have a disability.
Instead, we have to be able to help everyone equally. Sometimes we do need to introduce
reforms through wider public recognition, and if so many people are battling with long covid, it is
a chance to make changes.
We feel that it is probably necessary for people to acknowledge long covid as a disability. It is
changing and damaging the lives of all who have it – some are unable to work due to their
symptoms. They need proper support and help to get through a difficult period like that, and it is
important to recognise that we all have a responsibility towards them and the wider disabled
community. Reforms to the way we recognise and support these people would be an excellent
start point, and we look forward to seeing what could come from the next few years.