The video story was reported and produced by Niamh Larkin.
A population of COVID-19 survivors is emerging with long-term effects from the virus.
The CDC has defined anyone experiencing coronavirus symptoms after four weeks of the active virus as being diagnosed with post-covid syndrome, or more informally, longhaulers.
Support groups have emerged on Facebook as longhaulers look for tips and tricks to help combat the various effects they feel.
After speaking with thirteen longhaulers over Zoom, each experiencing different symptoms and on a different timeline from another, many are discouraged by the lack of medical support for what they are experiencing.
The common misconception regarding the coronavirus is that after a two-week quarantine, the infected person is very likely recovered. Longhaulers say otherwise.
Many are experiencing respiratory issues, organ damage, a lack of energy and even cognitive issues.
Christopher Merrill from Stuart documented his experience in the ICU when he was infected with the active virus.
“They treat the problems that do develop, but they don’t get down to the core of why they develop,” Merrill said.
Many Tampa and Florida longhaulers have been referred to the COVID Clinic at Tampa General Hospital for further treatment and testing.
As of April 11, over 72 million Americans have been fully vaccinated from one of three FDA approved vaccines. The death toll from the coronavirus stands at approximately 562,000. There is not a specified number of those diagnosed with post-COVID syndrome.
While vaccine eligibility is handled case by case for each longhauler, many are choosing to opt in so that they do not experience the active coronavirus again or in the hopes that the vaccine can reduce some of the post-COVID effects.
