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The Sick Times
@thesicktimes.org
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A nonprofit news site chronicling the #LongCOVID crisis. Founded by journalists @BetsyLadyzhets.bsky.social & @MilesWGriffis.bsky.social

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🧸 Study recently connected “chronic absenteeism” to pediatric Long COVID

🩸 Study found that IgG isolated from people with ME can destroy mitochondria in endothelial cells

🧠 ADDRESS-LC (assessing Bezisterim), has opened two more study sites

#LongCOVID research updates: bit.ly/464c7Eh
An upclose microscopic image shows the main components of blood plasma, including complement C1, immunogloublin G, ferritin, and more. The components that make up the plasma in the shapes of spheres, noodles, and clumps, are colored in different shades of purple, blue, violet, and red. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Long COVID research updates. A large study recently connected “chronic absenteeism” to pediatric Long COVID. A small study found that IgG isolated from people with ME can destroy mitochondria in endothelial cells. ADDRESS-LC, the clinical trial assessing Bezisterim for Long COVID, has opened two more study sites.” A large study recently connected “chronic absenteeism” to pediatric Long COVID, further disproving the “immunity debt” talking points from pundits earlier in the pandemic. Published in the CDC’s Emerging Infectious Diseases, the study assessed over 11,000 children and found that those who had experienced Long COVID were 2.5 times as likely to be at risk of missing school for long periods of time due to the disabling disease. “Long COVID remains a public health concern in U.S. school-aged children,” the authors concluded, stating that educational institutions need to “recognize the potential for accommodations that support learning goals and social development.” Still, there was no mention of COVID-19 prevention in the authors’ conclusion. A small mechanistic study in Brain, Behavior, & Immunity – Health found that immunoglobulin G (IgG), a type of antibody in the blood, isolated from people with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) can destroy mitochondria in endothelial cells, or the cells lining the inside of your blood vessels. The study included samples from over 100 people, including some with pre-COVID ME, some with ME after COVID-19, some with multiple sclerosis (MS), and some controls. The authors hypothesized that people with “post-COVID ME” represent an early stage of the disease, where inflammation dominates clinical outcomes, whereas those who have had ME for longer “represent the chronic nature of the disease,” with symptoms driven more by a disrupted metabolism. ADDRESS-LC, the clinical trial assessing the investigational drug Bezisterim (NE3107) for neurological symptoms of Long COVID, has opened two more study sites: a new one in California and one in Connecticut. The study now includes 19 sites around the country; other states with sites are Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia. Study contact: Penelope Markham, pmarkham@bioviepharma.com.
February 12, 2026 at 3:20 PM
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Some Winter Olympics athletes, teams, and their loved ones are protecting themselves from airborne pathogens by masking and isolating.

Meanwhile, the media stigmatizes disease prevention while minimizing serious risks of Long COVID.

Read more from @mileswgriffis.bsky.social: bit.ly/4rHDA6R
A photo shows German biathalete Justus Strelow in Munich, Germany during an pre-Olympics event on January 19, 2026. He is a young white man and wears a black, high quality mask and a red t-shirt. Behind him are logos of brands and the German Olympic team. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Winter Olympic athletes are rightfully taking COVID-19 precautions. By Miles W. Griffis.” "Many of these athletes are also taking precautions by isolating and masking around family members and friends — something disabled people, including those with Long COVID, have been doing since the beginning of the pandemic." — Miles W. Griffis, Winter Olympic athletes are rightfully taking COVID-19 precautions
February 11, 2026 at 3:53 PM
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Sign up for our weekly newsletter and get our COVID-19 trends report delivered directly to your inbox every Tuesday! thesicktimes.org/newsletter/
Line chart from the University of Minnesota's wastewater surveillance dashboard showing statewide averages of SARS-CoV-2 virus copies per Liter (in black), COVID-19 hospitalizations (in yellow), and ICU admissions (in green). The chart has two Y axes, one on the left for virus copies/L and one on the right for admissions and hospitalizations. The X axis represents time, and goes from August 2025 to February 2026. The viral levels in wastewater and hospitalizations both show clear waves in summer 2025 and winter 2025-26; wastewater data also show that SARS-CoV-2 levels have been increasing again in the state as of late January following a decline from a peak in late December. WWSCAN and Biobot also report increasing viral levels in wastewater in parts of the South. The West is the only region where SARS-CoV-2 levels in sewage have stayed relatively low so far this winter. However, there are signs of potential COVID-19 increases in the Northwest. Meanwhile, flu levels are trending back down nationally after an increase last week. But these levels remain high across the U.S., with many states reporting “high” and “very high” levels of healthcare visits for flu-like illness (which the CDC defines as a fever plus cough and/or sore throat). Measles also continues spreading in the U.S., and the latest hotspots for this disease are immigration detention centers. “This is a major public health issue” because detention centers are “an ideal environment for the spread of measles,” political anthropologist Eric Reinhart told The Guardian. He, like other health experts and scholars, called for ending immigration detention: “Abolish ICE and the Department of Homeland Security, which is basically a state terror organization.” Read Betsy Ladyzhets’ full COVID-19 trends report. thesicktimes.org Sign up for our newsletter to get our weekly report delivered directly to your inbox! thesicktimes.org/newsletter
February 10, 2026 at 4:36 PM
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The U.S.’s long winter COVID-19 wave continues, as disease levels increase in some regions and decrease in others. Flu levels are declining again. And measles also continues spreading in the U.S.; the latest hotspots for this disease are immigration detention centers. bit.ly/3MdqPlz
Graphic from The Sick Times sharing the latest COVID-19 trends for February 10, 2026. The graphic presents trends for three metrics: WastewaterSCAN category for SARS-CoV-2, which is "high" (represented with an orange color) and stable (represented with a side to side arrow); CDC wastewater viral activity level for SARS-Cov-2, which is "moderate*" (orange) and reports a slight increase (diagonal up arrow); and CDC COVID-19 test positivity, which is moderate (darker yellow) and stable. Text below these metrics reads: "*CDC wastewater viral activity levels are calculated based on measurements in the last two years only. They do not account for the lower spread that could be possible with more widespread precautions." The middle text reads, "The U.S.’s long winter COVID-19 wave continues. Major national metrics are at plateaus as of late January, as disease levels increase in some regions and decrease in others. In better news, flu levels are declining again, after an uptick last week."
February 10, 2026 at 4:36 PM
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Join us for a free webinar! The Sick Times editors @mileswgriffis.bsky.social and @betsyladyzhets.bsky.social — plus special guest speakers — will demystify the process of writing and pitching op-eds and essays on Long COVID. Register now: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
ID: A flier for the event reads, "The Sick Times: Free Webinar, The Long COVID Op-Ed. Help Break the Stigma. February 19th, 7-8:15pm ET. Learn how to pitch and share your story with tips from expert guests. Hosted by Miles Griffis and Betsy Ladyzhets. Below are the headshots of three guests, Torie Bosch, First Opinion Editor, STAT. Madeline Miller, Best-selling author. Funmi Okunola, MD, Co-founder Long COVID the Answers. A button at the bottom reads, "Comment "RSVP" for a registration link!"
February 9, 2026 at 9:14 PM
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Maryland is considering a Long COVID innovation bill that would support grants and loans for Long COVID research and development, building on an existing state program. bit.ly/4aisb6v
A graphic shows Maryland Delegate Greg Wims reading off of a computer during a House of Delegates event. Behind him, the photo is overlaid with a screenshot from the Maryland legislature’s website showing the progress of HB0027, the Long COVID innovation bill’s designation in the House. It is currently in the “referral to committee” phase and soon to have a hearing. The background behind that timeline is the Maryland state flag. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Maryland considers Long COVID innovation bill. The novel legislation would support grants and loans for Long COVID research and development, building on an existing state program. By Betsy Ladyzhets.” Community members interested in supporting the bill. Lawmakers will discuss the bill in two hearings next week. House of Delegates’ Health committee Tuesday, February 10 2 p.m. ET Supporters can submit testimony for the House hearing on Friday, February 6, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET. Senate’s Finance committee Thursday, February 12 1 p.m. ET. Supporters can submit testimony for the House hearing on Tuesday, February 10, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET. Community members interested in supporting the bill. Community members interested in supporting the bill can submit written testimony explaining what it would mean for them after making an account on the Maryland General Assembly website. Instructions and guidance are available at: mdlongcovid.com mgaleg.maryland.gov People can also mark that they support the bill by marking their position as "favorable" without writing testimony.
February 6, 2026 at 3:36 PM
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Pediatric research into #LongCOVID is several years behind that of adults. In 2026, RECOVER-TLC will launch a 1300-person pediatric trial testing low-dose naltrexone for fatigue. @spichaksimon.bsky.social examines that trial, and two other pediatric trials in progress. bit.ly/3Oosi9a
Collage graphic. The center of the image is a black and white photo of a child lying in bed receiving care from their mother. Behind that is a second photo showing a child’s hand, pens, and drawings, including one that appears to show two cartoonish version of pathogens. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Collage graphic. The center of the image is a black and white photo of a child lying in bed receiving care from their mother. Behind that is a second photo showing a child’s hand, pens, and drawings, including one that appears to show two cartoonish version of pathogens. By Simon Spichak Key points you should know: Millions of children with Long COVID face denial, gaslighting, and a lack of medical treatments and drug trials. In 2026, RECOVER-TLC will launch a 1300-person pediatric trial testing low-dose naltrexone for fatigue. Though patient advocates criticized some aspects of a draft protocol shared in late 2025, they were positive on the overall design. Another trial including children with Long COVID will test the drug larazotide, which helps tighten the gaps between gut cells, as a potential treatment. Key points you should know: Calgary, Canada–based researchers will include kids in a third trial testing taurine but haven’t yet published the protocol. Parents emphasize the need to make trials accessible, including implementing mandatory COVID-19 precautions to reduce risk of reinfection.
February 5, 2026 at 5:12 PM
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💉 FDA granted expanded access to the stem cell infusion RegeneCyte for Long COVID

🌍 New study found that Long COVID isn’t being consistently captured around the world

💊 A phase two trial for LC-associated POTS is testing 2-HOBA

#LongCOVID research updates: bit.ly/4qfLpzC
A Black doctor in a white coat and blue shirt wearing a surgical mask stands before seated, elderly patients in Lagos, Nigeria. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Long COVID research updates. The FDA granted expanded access to the stem cell infusion RegeneCyte for Long COVID. A new observational study found that Long COVID isn’t being consistently captured around the world. A phase two trial for Long COVID-associated POTS is testing 2-hydroxybenzylamine (2-HOBA).” The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted expanded access to the stem cell infusion RegeneCytefor Long COVID. The investigational treatment is derived from human umbilical cord blood and is produced by the company Stemcyte Inc. Expanded access, sometimes called “compassionate use,” is a potential way for people with life-threatening diseases to access a treatment still being researched, in the absence of other options. A small phase two trial of the intervention that included 30 participants recently found “statistically significant reductions in fatigue symptoms” in people with Long COVID. Long COVID isn’t being consistently captured around the world due to differences in sociological factors, diagnostic tools, and healthcare access. A new observational study in Frontiers of Human Neuroscience assessed the neurological symptoms of over 3,000 people with the disease from Colombia, India, Nigeria, and the U.S., and found a higher frequency of symptoms in Colombia and the U.S. The authors concluded that the study demonstrates the challenge of comparing the burden of neurological symptoms “across diverse settings when using different assessment methods.” Still, they found one common theme: Long COVID “affects young and middle-aged adults in their prime, causing significant detrimental impact on the workforce, productivity, and innovation all over the world.” A phase two trial for Long COVID-associated postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is testing a product called 2-hydroxybenzylamine (2-HOBA). The natural compound comes from Himalayan buckwheat seeds and is being studied in other diseases to address inflammation and oxidative stress. The small study will enroll 50 participants in Nashville, Tennessee. Participants will take 500 milligrams of the drug three times per day for 28 days, or receive a placebo. Contact: Marwa Mohamed, marwa.mohamed@vumc.org.
February 4, 2026 at 3:41 PM
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Trends suggest we may be in for a second round of this winter’s COVID-19 wave after the initial peak in early January. Flu levels increased this week, too, likely due to more influenza B spread. Read this week's full COVID-19 trends report: bit.ly/4tgFVqY
Graphic from The Sick Times sharing the latest COVID-19 trends for February 3, 2026. The graphic presents trends for three metrics: WastewaterSCAN category for SARS-CoV-2, which is "high" (represented with an orange color) and reports a slight decrease (represented with a diagonal down arrow); CDC wastewater viral activity level for SARS-Cov-2, which is "moderate*" (orange) and reports a slight decrease; and CDC COVID-19 test positivity, which is moderate (darker yellow) and stable (side to side arrow). Text below these metrics reads: "*CDC wastewater viral activity levels are calculated based on measurements in the last two years only. They do not account for the lower spread that could be possible with more widespread precautions." The middle text reads, “COVID-19 levels are going up in parts of the South, West, and possibly the Midwest, while continuing to decline elsewhere. Trends suggest we may be in for a second round of this winter’s COVID-19 wave after the initial peak in early January. Flu levels increased this week, too, likely due to more influenza B spread. — Betsy Ladyzhets.”
February 3, 2026 at 6:55 PM
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"Even in suffering, there’s agency here. We are not just patients; we are storytellers reclaiming what this illness has taken from us." - Robert DeRosa, community advisory group member

Read more: bit.ly/4tgsgQC
A flyer advertising the Living With Long COVID exhibit at the Museum of Vancouver. When: October 4, 2025 - March 22, 2026 Where: The Museum of Vancouver (MOV) Find out more: museumofvancouver.ca The Museum of Vancouver (MOV), in collaboration with Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) Faculty of Health Sciences and The Post-COVID-19 Interdisciplinary Clinical Care Network (PC-ICCN), is proud to announce the opening of Living with Long COVID. The exhibition invites visitors into the often-invisible world of those living with the life-altering effects of a COVID-19 infection.
February 3, 2026 at 3:00 PM
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One of the greatest barriers for addressing the #LongCOVID crisis is public invisibility. To make the illness more legible to the public, Kayli Jamieson’s research team has launched a photo exhibition called Living with Long COVID at the Museum of Vancouver. bit.ly/4byOFlX
A young person wears a black respirator and looks at a panel at the Living with Long COVID photography exhibit at the Museum of Vancouver. The panel the look at features photos of people with Long COVID. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Snapshots of the unseen: How we focused Long COVID in a recent photo exhibition. By Kayli Jamieson.” Four photos: 1) 2) Many people in high quality masks explore the Living with Long COVID photography exhibit at the Museum of Vancouver. On person stands out in the middle of the photo wearing bright green and yellow clothes with a bright green respirator. 3) Twelve pillows are displayed on a pink wall at the Living with Long COVID exhibit at the Museum of Vancouver. Each pillowcase contains writings about Long COVID from a March 2025 demonstration for Long COVID Awareness Day. 4) A man wears a respirator and looks at a panel at the Living with Long COVID photography exhibit at the Museum of Vancouver. The colorful panel includes text and features photos of people with Long COVID.
February 3, 2026 at 3:00 PM
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Last week, bedroom producer and electronic musician Sebastian “Sebass” Gisperg released his third album. The EP, titled “700,” takes its name from the 700+ days Sebastian has spent 99% bedbound with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Check him out on our IG: www.instagram.com/p/DT-2geSD-_q/
A young white man with brown hair, brown eyes, a short beard and mustache sits in his bed holding a laptop open to Spotify. On the wall behind him are two posters that read, “Tried 30 meds. None worked. #curemecfs.” And, “Not tired. Sick. #curemecfs.” The text reads, “The Sick Times. Sebass releases new EP inspired by 700 days bedbound with ME.” quotes inside purple speech bubbles. They reads, “ [Music is] a way for me to let my emotions out, be creative and to actually almost take part in normal life somehow. Its the only hobby I can do.”
January 30, 2026 at 3:55 PM
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😷 A study found that a majority of people with Long COVID did not recover

💰 Some researchers in Australia are getting a small boost in Long COVID funding

💊 The biotech company Invivyd is advancing research of a COVID-19 monoclonal antibody

#LongCOVID research updates: bit.ly/49QCdNm
A photo of the Opera House in Sydney, Australia. The building, which resembles white sails, its lit by orange sunlight and contrasted with a blue sky. Two people in the distance take photos of the building. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Long COVID research updates. A large prospective cohort study found that a majority of people with Long COVID did not recover. Some researchers in Australia are getting a small boost in Long COVID funding. The biotech company Invivyd is advancing research of a COVID-19 monoclonal antibody called VYD2311.” T A large prospective cohort study published in Infectious Diseases found that a majority of people with Long COVID did not recover. Of the 3,590 individuals with Long COVID included in the U.K. study, only around 33% achieved “satisfactory recovery.” Still, the study did not account for reinfections, and other studies have found an even slimmer recovery rate of only 6–9% in the first 2–3 years. The authors concluded that people with Long COVID in their cohort had significant and prolonged functional impairment, and that a majority are “of working age.” Some researchers in Australia are getting a small boost in Long COVID funding. Three projects at the University of New South Wales won grants totalling $4.7 million AUD ($3.3 million USD) to study the disease and improve patient care. One of those projects is the SAGE Trial, which aims to educate primary care providers about Long COVID, while other funding will support diagnostic and clinical research. In addition, a professor at Melbourne’s La Trobe University received $1 million AUD ($697,000 USD) in funding for the CRISP Project to study biomarkers for the disease linked to “food and drink sensitivity.” The biotech company Invivyd is advancing research of a COVID-19 monoclonal antibody called VYD2311, designed to improve upon the currently-available Pemgarda. A phase three clinical trial testing the product’s ability to prevent acute COVID-19 is currently recruiting in 20 locations across 16 states. And the company announced last week that it has planned a phase two trial of the drug for treating Long COVID and Post-COVID Vaccine Syndrome, expected to start “by mid-2026.” Researchers previously discussed this potential trial at a National Institutes of Health workshop last fall, but it is proceeding without NIH funding.
January 29, 2026 at 4:24 PM
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"I wasn’t expecting a magic pill or cure out of the sphere of reality. I was hoping for a group of doctors who knew about my illnesses and could come up with ideas. What I got was a lot of medical trauma." - Jennifer Stitt, former Metrodora patient
Key points you should know: Utah’s Metrodora Institute is a prominent example of clinics specializing in infection-associated chronic conditions, including Long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), that have closed in the past year. Former patients of Metrodora, a clinic that promised treatment for complex conditions including ME, allege that they paid high cash prices for substandard care and that test results were never processed or delivered. They also alleged physical and financial harm. Poor experiences with specialty clinics and providers have caused some patients to put further care on hold. Medical clinic closures impact research into Long COVID biomarkers, treatments, and care, as many healthcare facilities serve as sites for drug trials. The Metrodora Institute’s nonprofit arm, the Complex Disorders Alliance (CODA), formerly known as the Metrodora Foundation, continues to operate independently.
January 28, 2026 at 5:51 PM
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Metrodora, a Utah-based clinic that sought to cure “neuroimmune disorders” like #LongCOVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis, promised comprehensive treatment — but within two years, it abruptly closed, leaving former patients feeling betrayed. Read more from @brittashoot.com: bit.ly/46iIGOy
A photo of a medical building that previously housed the Metrodora clinic, with a filter making it appear as though it’s shown on a TV with poor signal. On top of the building, a red bar reads, “Permanently closed.” The text reads, “Metrodora promised comprehensive treatment. But within two years, it abruptly closed. The clinic sought to cure “neuroimmune disorders” like Long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis. Former patients feel betrayed. By Britta Shoot.” T
January 28, 2026 at 5:51 PM
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Stay on top of COVID-19 trends and #LongCOVID research.

Sign up for our newsletter to get our reporting delivered directly to your inbox every Tuesday! thesicktimes.org/newsletter/
Series of charts from Biobot Analytics showing regional wastewater trends for influenza A and COVID-19 from the organization's testing network. In all charts, the West is represented in green, South in pink, Midwest in purple, and Northeast in gold. The X axis represents time, spanning September 2024 to January 2026, and the Y axis represents effective concentration of virus, with different scales for each chart (the COVID-19 scale goes up to 1000 copies/mL, flu A goes up to 300 copies/mL, and flu B and RSV stay under 50 copies/mL). All charts show waves of these viruses in both winter 2024-25 and 2025-26; the COVID-19 chart also shows a summer 2025 wave. As of mid-January, levels of all four viruses are mostly declining, and all four show higher levels for the Midwest and Northeast compared to the West and South. Flu B levels may be going up in the West and Northeast. The CDC, WastewaterSCAN, and Biobot Analytics all agree that SARS-CoV-2 levels are declining nationally as of mid-January. This winter’s peak has been notably lower than the peaks of prior winter surges, according to national averages. This isn’t true for all regions, though: the Midwest in particular has reported very high SARS-CoV-2 levels in wastewater, comparable to or perhaps higher than last winter. Viral levels have been high in the Northeast, too. I will be watching to see if the South and West report further increases in COVID-19 levels, as they have had a relatively milder winter of this disease so far. Notably, the CDC forecasting center estimates that cases are “growing or likely growing” in five states: Texas, Missouri, West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina. Meanwhile, while national flu metrics have continued to decline, there are potential signs that this winter’s flu wave could rebound. Epidemiologist Caitlin Rivers noted in her newsletter this week that flu activity went up in school-aged children: “Although the increase is small, kids are often the first to register new flu trends,” she wrote. In other public health news: the U.S. is on the verge of losing its measles elimination status, as that disease has now spread in low-vaccination areas for a year. But one top CDC official “said he was unbothered by the prospect” at a media briefing last week, Amy Maxmen reported for KFF Health News. With measles, like with COVID-19, the Trump administration is downplaying ongoing spread and failing to promote prevention measures.
January 27, 2026 at 11:04 PM
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Several national COVID-19 metrics have now reported two weeks of declines, suggesting we have passed the peak of this winter’s wave — but higher disease levels may continue for many more weeks. Read @betsyladyzhets.bsky.social's full COVID-19 trends report: bit.ly/4bhdT8l
Graphic from The Sick Times sharing the latest COVID-19 trends for January 27, 2026. The graphic presents trends for three metrics: WastewaterSCAN category for SARS-CoV-2, which is “high” (represented with an orange color) and reports a slight decrease (represented with a diagonal down arrow); CDC wastewater viral activity level for SARS-Cov-2, which is “moderate*” (orange) and reports a significant decrease (arrow going straight down); and CDC COVID-19 test positivity, which is moderate (darker yellow) and stable (side to side arrow). Text below these metrics reads: “*CDC wastewater viral activity levels are calculated based on measurements in the last two years only. They do not account for the lower spread that could be possible with more widespread precautions.”
January 27, 2026 at 5:29 PM
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The RECOVER-Treating Long COVID initiative is set to begin enrolling participants in new clinical trials this summer, which will mark nearly two years after the NIH effort launched. Read more from @betsyladyzhets.bsky.social on today's RECOVER-TLC webinar: bit.ly/3YW7rME
An orange background features purple-colored clocks scattered across the image. The text reads, “The Sick Times. New RECOVER-TLC trials won’t enroll until summer. Nearly two years after the program’s launch. By Betsy Ladyzhets.” “As someone involved in Long COVID clinical trials, both as a participant and in clinical trial design and operations, I understand that it does take time to plan and execute rigorous, safe, impactful trials,” said Ezra Spier, a Long COVID patient-advocate and creator of the site Long COVID Studies, which tracks clinical trials, in a statement to The Sick Times.
January 23, 2026 at 8:46 PM
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From @kffhealthnews.org republished at The Sick Times: The federal government has drastically scaled back the number of recommended childhood immunizations, sidelining six routine vaccines that have safeguarded millions from serious diseases, long-term disability, and death. bit.ly/4pQUHSj
A nurse places a band-aid on the upper arm of a smiling child. The text reads, “The CDC just sidelined these childhood vaccines. Here’s what they prevent. By Arthur Allen and Jackie Fortiér. KFF Health News republished by The Sick Times.” Here’s a rundown of the diseases the sidelined vaccines prevent: RSV. Respiratory syncytial virus is the most common cause of hospitalization for infants in the U.S. Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A vaccination, which was phased in beginning in the late 1990s and recommended for all toddlers starting in 2006, has led to a more than 90% drop in the disease since 1996. Hepatitis B. The disease causes liver cancer, cirrhosis, and other serious illnesses and is particularly dangerous when contracted by babies and young children. Rotavirus. Before routine administration of the current rotavirus vaccines began in 2006, about 70,000 young children were hospitalized and 50 died every year from the virus. Here’s a rundown of the diseases the sidelined vaccines prevent: Meningococcal disease. Vaccines have been required mainly for teenagers and college students, who are notably vulnerable to critical illness caused by the bacteria. About 600 to 1,000 cases of meningococcal disease are reported in the U.S. each year, but it kills more than 10% of those it sickens, and 1 in 5 survivors have permanent disabilities. Flu and COVID-19. The two respiratory viruses have each killed hundreds of children in recent years — though both tend to be more severe in older adults. Flu is currently on the upswing in the United States, and last flu season the virus killed 289 children.
January 23, 2026 at 3:02 PM
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🧠 New study: neurological #LongCOVID symptoms associated w/ a marker of brain inflammation that has been tied to Alzheimer’s

🫁 A new “state-of-the-art” review on POTS

💊 A phase II clinical trial is testing the efficacy and safety of the drug Uplizna in LC and ME

Research updates: bit.ly/4sRydmT
ID: An anatomical illustration shows a portion of the human circulatory system. Heart, lungs, arteries, and veins are displayed in a "see through" view of a human's chest and upper torso. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Long COVID research updates. A new study found neurological Long COVID symptoms were associated with a marker of brain inflammation that has been tied to Alzheimer’s disease. A new “state-of-the-art” review on POTS. A phase II clinical trial is testing the efficacy and safety of the drug Uplizna (Inebilizumab) in Long COVID and ME.” The following slides feature shortened versions of the text in this caption. A new study in eBioMedicine found neurological Long COVID symptoms were associated with increased pTau-181 levels, a marker of brain inflammation that has been tied to Alzheimer’s disease. The study included 9/11 World Trade Center first responders participating in an ongoing health monitoring program, 227 of whom developed neurological Long COVID and 227 controls. One author concluded the results could imply that Long COVID “could worsen with time and cause changes in neurological symptoms,” yet, researchers aren’t sure if the increase in the marker “represents a biological course that could be similar to individuals who develop Alzheimer’s or related diseases.” A new “state-of-the-art” review on postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) highlighted that the multisystemic condition is disabling and causes societal and economic withdrawal. The review was published in Heart, Lung and Circulation and aimed to improve diagnosis, awareness, and management of the condition. The authors concluded that POTS is a “dominant phenotype” in Long COVID and that its prevalence “will continue to grow, with most healthcare professionals likely to encounter” it. The review notes that physicians sometimes recommend exercise as a personalized POTS treatment, but cautions that it can be harmful for people who also have myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). A phase II clinical trial testing the efficacy and safety of the drug Uplizna (Inebilizumab) in Long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) was recently announced by the German Ministry of Research. Uplinza is a monoclonal antibody that is used to treat specific autoimmune diseases, including generalized myasthenia gravis. The trial follows a trend of monoclonal antibodies being studied for Long COVID and related diseases. We’ll update readers once the trial is enrolling and has more specifics.
January 22, 2026 at 3:48 PM
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Courn Ahn: www.instagram.com/courtneyahnd...

Dylan: www.instagram.com/kitten.cowboy

Hazel Newlevant: www.instagram.com/newlevant
Sheyam Ghieth: Known for her graphics and design work on television series, Sheyam Ghieth (she/they) also contributed illustrations to the 2024 zine Mask Up, We Need You: Palestinian Solidarity, COVID-19, and the Struggle For Liberation. IG: @sheyamghieth Courn Ahn: Courn Ahn (they/them) is a disabled Korean American multidisciplinary designer and illustrator who uses their lived experiences as inspiration for their work. IG: @courtneyahndesign Dylan: Dylan (they/them) is a queer and trans artist who creates educational and approachable illustrations that explore their experience as a disabled person. IG: @kitten.cowboy Hazel Newlevant: Hazel Newlevant (they/them) is a cartoonist who also works as an associate editor for Lion Forge Comics. You might recognize their free zine What’s Up with COVID and How to Protect Yourself. IG: @newlevant
January 21, 2026 at 5:24 PM
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Emma Kim Rust: www.instagram.com/emmakimrust

Peace Waters: www.instagram.com/peace.waters

Dimitrea Tokunbo: www.instagram.com/comix.dimitrea

Charlie: www.instagram.com/doodlesbycha...

Radical Birding: www.instagram.com/radicalbirdi...
Emma Kim Rust: Emma Kim Rust (they/them) is a cartoonist, illustrator, and zine maker. Their comic Living in Love prompts viewers to question the harmful stereotype that those who continue to mask are overly anxious. IG: @emmakimrust Peace Waters and Dimitrea Tokunbo: Peace Waters and Dimitrea Tokunbo are a family duo known for their recently released zine Long [COVID] Story Short. IG: @peace.waters + @comix.dimitrea Charlie: Charlie (they/them) is a queer, disabled comic artist who creates with the hope that their work will help others feel seen amid the broadly ignored COVID-19 pandemic. IG: @doodlesbycharlie_ Radical Birding: Self-described as “your favorite masked bird watcher,” Radical Birding (she/her) is a chronically ill artist who recently put together a 2026 calendar of her work called “Masking is Love in Action.” IG: @radicalbirding.art
January 21, 2026 at 5:24 PM
thesicktimes.org
"These artists have helped me remember that my life is valuable and worth protecting."

Grae Salisbury, an artist with #LongCOVID, rounded up some of their favorite illustrators who bravely explore the ongoing pandemic in their work. bit.ly/4jQ2gY9
Five different illustrations from artists with Long COVID in round shapes on a black background. White text with purple highlights reads, “The Sick Times. Drawing the elephant: Nine artists illustrating Long COVID and the ongoing pandemic. By Grae Salisbury." Illustrators who bravely explore the ongoing pandemic in their work break down stereotypes, contextualize differing experiences, build community, and raise awareness. These artists create spaces where audiences can reflect and engage with stories that can broaden our understanding of ourselves and the world. In this way, art is not only a community-building tool, but also functions as a “mirror”: for those who struggle to look directly at the elephant in the room, they can engage with its reflection. — Grae Salisbury
January 21, 2026 at 5:24 PM
thesicktimes.org
Today marks one year since President Trump’s second term started. We are working on a story reflecting on this last year in U.S. #LongCOVID policy, and want to hear from you. To share your thoughts, email us at [email protected].
Today marks one year since President Trump’s second term started. Since then, his administration has made policy choices that harm people with Long COVID, from closing the federal health department’s Long COVID office to cutting Medicaid funding — even while Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has claimed the disease is a priority for him. We are working on a story reflecting on this last year in U.S. Long COVID policy, and want to hear from you. How have Trump administration actions on Long COVID, related diseases, and public health impacted your life? If you’re a researcher or provider, have this administration’s policies affected your work or how you provide healthcare to people with Long COVID? What responses do you want to see to these attacks? To share your thoughts, email us at editors@thesicktimes.org.
January 20, 2026 at 10:14 PM
thesicktimes.org
Stay on top of COVID-19 trends and #LongCOVID research.

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The latest wastewater data from the CDC and WastewaterSCAN both report modest declines in their national averages of SARS-CoV-2 levels in wastewater. However, Biobot Analytics reports continued increases in its national average for the same timeframe. If recent viral levels in wastewater do turn out to be the peak of this winter’s COVID-19 wave, it would be a much lower peak than in prior years. Healthcare system data also show potential decreases. The CDC’s disease forecasting center estimates that COVID-19 cases are “declining or likely declining” in 39 states as of January 13. Chart from WastewaterSCAN showing SARS-CoV-2 levels in wastewater from sites in the organization's testing network, averaged nationally and by region. The national average is represented in black, Northeast in green, South in yellow, Midwest in orange, West in blue. The X axis represents time, going from January 2025 to January 2026. The Y axis represents quantity of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acids, PMMoV Normalized x1 million. All regions experienced COVID-19 waves in winter 2024-25 and summer 2025. In recent months, the Midwest and Northeast have both seen major increases, with a potential decline in the Midwest in the last two weeks of data, while the South has seen a more modest increase and the West has largely stayed at a low to moderate baseline. Amid these potential declines, the Midwest and Northeast continue to see much higher COVID-19 levels than the South and West, according to all three wastewater sources as well as emergency department and test positivity data. The current COVID-19 picture is difficult to interpret, as public health agencies have dismantled the comprehensive tracking systems that we had back in 2020-2021. It’s possible that we could see a wave with far fewer cases this winter, but also possible that COVID-19 levels will go back up or stay moderate-to-high for longer rather than hitting a definitive peak. In times like these, it’s particularly important to look for local data as the picture in your area could be very different from a national or regional one. Black text on a white graph paper background shows The Sick Times COVID-19 trends legend. WastewaterSCAN category for SARS-CoV-2: Lighter yellow = “Low” Darker yellow = “Medium” Orange = “High"; medium concentration and upward trend or high concentration and downward trend Red = “High"; high concentration and no trend or upward trend CDC wastewater viral activity level for SARS-CoV-2: Lighter yellow = “Very low” Darker yellow = “Low” Orange = “Moderate” Red = “High” or “Very high” CDC COVID-19 test positivity: Lighter yellow = Under 3% Darker yellow = 3% to 6% Orange = 6% to 10% Red = 10% or higher Week over week percent change Arrow directly down = -20% or less change Arrow diagonal down = -20% to -5% change Arrow in horizontal line = -5% to 5% change Arrow diagonal up = 5% to 20% change Arrow directly up = 20% or more change
January 20, 2026 at 5:45 PM