Astrid Meyer-Knutsen
@astridmeyerknutsen.bsky.social
Interests: ME/CFS, Long Covid, politics, science, nature and animals. Norwegian but post mostly in English. Newbie allotment gardener.
- There are still no simple solutions or therapies for ME/CFS and post-viral autoimmune diseases, and previous scientific studies demonstrate the complexity of the disease mechanisms
The German government has committed half a billion euros for research on long COVID and other post-infection syndromes
go.nature.com/48qFiTA
go.nature.com/48qFiTA
Long-COVID research just got a big funding boost: will it find new treatments?
The German government has committed half a billion euros for research on long COVID and other post-infection syndromes.
go.nature.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:01 PM
- There are still no simple solutions or therapies for ME/CFS and post-viral autoimmune diseases, and previous scientific studies demonstrate the complexity of the disease mechanisms
Reposted by Astrid Meyer-Knutsen
Our latest News in Brief summary has headlines and links to further reading for #MECFS, #LongCovid, and related news for the week of Dec. 1 - 7.
Topics:
News, advocacy and articles
Coming events
Research news and commentary
& Published research
www.s4me.info/threads/news...
Topics:
News, advocacy and articles
Coming events
Research news and commentary
& Published research
www.s4me.info/threads/news...
News in Brief - December 2025
This thread has a Science for ME 'News in Brief' post for each week in December 2025 by a team including @Trish, @Kalliope, @ahimsa and @SNT Gatchaman. Scroll down to see this week's news.
www.s4me.info
December 8, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Our latest News in Brief summary has headlines and links to further reading for #MECFS, #LongCovid, and related news for the week of Dec. 1 - 7.
Topics:
News, advocacy and articles
Coming events
Research news and commentary
& Published research
www.s4me.info/threads/news...
Topics:
News, advocacy and articles
Coming events
Research news and commentary
& Published research
www.s4me.info/threads/news...
Reposted by Astrid Meyer-Knutsen
Reminders, as public health officials warn of a very bad flu season:
🧵
* Washing hands is not a strategy for a respiratory virus. N95s, ventilation, air filtration -- especially in hospitals.
* We should have been cleaning indoor air with the same effort we put into cleaning drinking water.
1/
🧵
* Washing hands is not a strategy for a respiratory virus. N95s, ventilation, air filtration -- especially in hospitals.
* We should have been cleaning indoor air with the same effort we put into cleaning drinking water.
1/
December 7, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Reminders, as public health officials warn of a very bad flu season:
🧵
* Washing hands is not a strategy for a respiratory virus. N95s, ventilation, air filtration -- especially in hospitals.
* We should have been cleaning indoor air with the same effort we put into cleaning drinking water.
1/
🧵
* Washing hands is not a strategy for a respiratory virus. N95s, ventilation, air filtration -- especially in hospitals.
* We should have been cleaning indoor air with the same effort we put into cleaning drinking water.
1/
Reposted by Astrid Meyer-Knutsen
🔥 Mark Bonnar asking people to donate to Action For ME and have their donations doubled ♥️
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
#pwME #pwLC
youtu.be/SIEzEza5O38
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
#pwME #pwLC
youtu.be/SIEzEza5O38
Mark Bonnar supports The Big Give 2025!
YouTube video by Action For ME
youtu.be
December 6, 2025 at 10:48 AM
🔥 Mark Bonnar asking people to donate to Action For ME and have their donations doubled ♥️
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
#pwME #pwLC
youtu.be/SIEzEza5O38
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
#pwME #pwLC
youtu.be/SIEzEza5O38
Reposted by Astrid Meyer-Knutsen
When most people say "during Covid" they mean "when we did infection control in schools".
"Not controlling the spread of disease at all" results in more illness than "doing something to control the spread of disease".
So of course it's "worse than Covid".
#CovidIsNotOver
"Not controlling the spread of disease at all" results in more illness than "doing something to control the spread of disease".
So of course it's "worse than Covid".
#CovidIsNotOver
December 5, 2025 at 10:39 PM
When most people say "during Covid" they mean "when we did infection control in schools".
"Not controlling the spread of disease at all" results in more illness than "doing something to control the spread of disease".
So of course it's "worse than Covid".
#CovidIsNotOver
"Not controlling the spread of disease at all" results in more illness than "doing something to control the spread of disease".
So of course it's "worse than Covid".
#CovidIsNotOver
Publication by Miller/Moen/Iwasaki; "The lingering shadow of epidemics: post-acute sequelae across history"
1/7
www.cell.com/trends/immun...
1/7
www.cell.com/trends/immun...
The lingering shadow of epidemics: post-acute sequelae across history
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has drawn global attention to post-acute infection syndromes
(PAIS), with millions affected by post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC, or Long COVID).
While Long COVID is newly ...
www.cell.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Publication by Miller/Moen/Iwasaki; "The lingering shadow of epidemics: post-acute sequelae across history"
1/7
www.cell.com/trends/immun...
1/7
www.cell.com/trends/immun...
- “Coronaviruses remain one of the most consequential infectious disease threats today,” said Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO Acting Director for Epidemic and Pandemic Management.
1/5
www.who.int/news/item/03...
1/5
www.who.int/news/item/03...
WHO launches new, unified plan for countries to manage coronaviruses: COVID-19 and beyond
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new strategic plan for the management of coronavirus disease threats, including COVID-19, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV), and potential ...
www.who.int
December 4, 2025 at 3:47 PM
- “Coronaviruses remain one of the most consequential infectious disease threats today,” said Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO Acting Director for Epidemic and Pandemic Management.
1/5
www.who.int/news/item/03...
1/5
www.who.int/news/item/03...
- There are many examples of hospital and long-term care facility outbreaks that were traced back to [healthcare personnel] working with symptomatic COVID-19.
www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdi...
www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdi...
More Health Workers Came in to Work With COVID as the Pandemic Wore On
'Presenteeism' tied to roles with less patient contact
www.medpagetoday.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:31 AM
- There are many examples of hospital and long-term care facility outbreaks that were traced back to [healthcare personnel] working with symptomatic COVID-19.
www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdi...
www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdi...
Reposted by Astrid Meyer-Knutsen
More Health Workers Came in to Work With COVID as the Pandemic Wore On.
Presenteeism (working while sick) increased among healthcare workers with COVID. 7.9% worked while sick from Dec 2020–Apr 2024.
• 2020: 1.4%
• 2021: 6.2%
• 2022: 7.2%
• 2023: 10.5%
• 2024: 15.2%
Source: archive.md/UETph
Presenteeism (working while sick) increased among healthcare workers with COVID. 7.9% worked while sick from Dec 2020–Apr 2024.
• 2020: 1.4%
• 2021: 6.2%
• 2022: 7.2%
• 2023: 10.5%
• 2024: 15.2%
Source: archive.md/UETph
December 4, 2025 at 1:40 AM
More Health Workers Came in to Work With COVID as the Pandemic Wore On.
Presenteeism (working while sick) increased among healthcare workers with COVID. 7.9% worked while sick from Dec 2020–Apr 2024.
• 2020: 1.4%
• 2021: 6.2%
• 2022: 7.2%
• 2023: 10.5%
• 2024: 15.2%
Source: archive.md/UETph
Presenteeism (working while sick) increased among healthcare workers with COVID. 7.9% worked while sick from Dec 2020–Apr 2024.
• 2020: 1.4%
• 2021: 6.2%
• 2022: 7.2%
• 2023: 10.5%
• 2024: 15.2%
Source: archive.md/UETph
- En ny, stor tysk satsning på post-infektiøse sygdomme viser, hvor langt Danmark halter bagefter
sundhedspolitisktidsskrift.dk/debat/10939-...
sundhedspolitisktidsskrift.dk/debat/10939-...
Milliard-stor ME-satsning bør dryppe på de danske patienter
Sundhedspolitisk Tidsskrift giver dig nyheder om sundhedspolitik, nye behandlinger, sundhedsøkonomi samt debat om sundhedsproblemer og -politik
sundhedspolitisktidsskrift.dk
December 3, 2025 at 10:59 AM
- En ny, stor tysk satsning på post-infektiøse sygdomme viser, hvor langt Danmark halter bagefter
sundhedspolitisktidsskrift.dk/debat/10939-...
sundhedspolitisktidsskrift.dk/debat/10939-...
Reposted by Astrid Meyer-Knutsen
'Long COVID patients face more than double the healthcare costs after diagnosis'
'"Long COVID is a debilitating disease for patients, presenting in a myriad of ways, with far-reaching implications for those affected."
www.news-medical.net/news/2025120...
'"Long COVID is a debilitating disease for patients, presenting in a myriad of ways, with far-reaching implications for those affected."
www.news-medical.net/news/2025120...
Long COVID patients face more than double the healthcare costs after diagnosis
People with Long COVID use the health service significantly more than they did before their diagnosis. These patients need to use GP, outpatient, inpatient and emergency department services more than ...
www.news-medical.net
December 2, 2025 at 4:57 PM
'Long COVID patients face more than double the healthcare costs after diagnosis'
'"Long COVID is a debilitating disease for patients, presenting in a myriad of ways, with far-reaching implications for those affected."
www.news-medical.net/news/2025120...
'"Long COVID is a debilitating disease for patients, presenting in a myriad of ways, with far-reaching implications for those affected."
www.news-medical.net/news/2025120...
- In conclusion, in this population-based study with three years of follow-up, we found that individuals affected by PCC reported consistently lower work ability than those without PCC, with little change over time.
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Work ability trajectories and sick leave in individuals with post COVID-19 condition: 3-year follow-up of a population-based cohort
The study highlights the prolonged impact of PCC on work-related functioning and underscores
the need for targeted occupational, clinical and social measures for those affected.
www.thelancet.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:59 AM
- In conclusion, in this population-based study with three years of follow-up, we found that individuals affected by PCC reported consistently lower work ability than those without PCC, with little change over time.
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Reposted by Astrid Meyer-Knutsen
COVID isn’t acting like the viruses most of us grew up with, and treating it like “just a cold” is putting people at real risk. David Brasure breaks down why SARS-CoV-2 is fundamentally different, how it causes long-term damage, and what we can do to protect ourselves.
December 1, 2025 at 6:40 PM
COVID isn’t acting like the viruses most of us grew up with, and treating it like “just a cold” is putting people at real risk. David Brasure breaks down why SARS-CoV-2 is fundamentally different, how it causes long-term damage, and what we can do to protect ourselves.
Reposted by Astrid Meyer-Knutsen
Yale Medicine: Quick Question: Do We Know What Causes Long COVID?
Iwasaki: "There’s been so much progress that’s been made in this area of Long COVID research...there are hypotheses that we’re testing..both at the basic science level and..through..clinical trials'
medicine.yale.edu/news-article...
Iwasaki: "There’s been so much progress that’s been made in this area of Long COVID research...there are hypotheses that we’re testing..both at the basic science level and..through..clinical trials'
medicine.yale.edu/news-article...
Quick Question: Do We Know What Causes Long COVID?
During an interview on the Health & Veritas podcast, Akiko Iwasaki, PhD, discussed post-acute infection syndromes, like Long COVID, and what we’re learning
medicine.yale.edu
December 1, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Yale Medicine: Quick Question: Do We Know What Causes Long COVID?
Iwasaki: "There’s been so much progress that’s been made in this area of Long COVID research...there are hypotheses that we’re testing..both at the basic science level and..through..clinical trials'
medicine.yale.edu/news-article...
Iwasaki: "There’s been so much progress that’s been made in this area of Long COVID research...there are hypotheses that we’re testing..both at the basic science level and..through..clinical trials'
medicine.yale.edu/news-article...
Reposted by Astrid Meyer-Knutsen
Our latest News in Brief summary has headlines and links to further reading for #MECFS, #LongCovid, and related news for the week of Nov. 24 - 30.
Topics:
News, advocacy and articles
Coming events
Research news and commentary
& Published research
www.s4me.info/threads/news...
Topics:
News, advocacy and articles
Coming events
Research news and commentary
& Published research
www.s4me.info/threads/news...
News in Brief - November 2025
This thread has a Science for ME 'News in Brief' post for each week in November 2025 by a team including @Trish, @Kalliope, @ahimsa and @SNT Gatchaman. Scroll down to see this week's news.
www.s4me.info
November 30, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Our latest News in Brief summary has headlines and links to further reading for #MECFS, #LongCovid, and related news for the week of Nov. 24 - 30.
Topics:
News, advocacy and articles
Coming events
Research news and commentary
& Published research
www.s4me.info/threads/news...
Topics:
News, advocacy and articles
Coming events
Research news and commentary
& Published research
www.s4me.info/threads/news...
Reposted by Astrid Meyer-Knutsen
A wonderful, resonant essay from @thesicktimes.org about how we can better listen to anyone going through something catastrophic. "Avoiding the topic feels absurd — like I’m standing in quicksand, and we’re chitchatting over glasses of lemonade as I slowly sink." thesicktimes.org/2025/11/28/y...
You know someone with Long COVID. They need you to ask about it genuinely. - The Sick Times
If community-building is a bulwark against autocracy, then asking after one another might be a good place to start.
thesicktimes.org
November 29, 2025 at 12:17 AM
A wonderful, resonant essay from @thesicktimes.org about how we can better listen to anyone going through something catastrophic. "Avoiding the topic feels absurd — like I’m standing in quicksand, and we’re chitchatting over glasses of lemonade as I slowly sink." thesicktimes.org/2025/11/28/y...
Reposted by Astrid Meyer-Knutsen
“This culture of repression leads to medical settings, given how disempowered patients are to protect themselves, being the place where coerced infection is perhaps most rampant”
No one should have to choose between care & Covid
But healthcare workers are denying the risk & patients pay the price
No one should have to choose between care & Covid
But healthcare workers are denying the risk & patients pay the price
“… coerced infection—the complete lack of mitigation and the normalization of mass and repeated infection of a debilitating virus—is ubiquitous throughout society.“
open.substack.com/pub/jacobsch...
open.substack.com/pub/jacobsch...
Our Culture of Coerced Infection
“You Do You”—unless you are trying to protect yourself from Covid
open.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:06 AM
“This culture of repression leads to medical settings, given how disempowered patients are to protect themselves, being the place where coerced infection is perhaps most rampant”
No one should have to choose between care & Covid
But healthcare workers are denying the risk & patients pay the price
No one should have to choose between care & Covid
But healthcare workers are denying the risk & patients pay the price
Reposted by Astrid Meyer-Knutsen
Another day, another study that suggests this virus is not good for our kids to keep catching
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
November 27, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Another day, another study that suggests this virus is not good for our kids to keep catching
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Reposted by Astrid Meyer-Knutsen
'New survey highlights essential role of virtual care for long COVID patients'
"Many of the 621 survey respondents from across the country shared how lifesaving and essential these virtual services are...reduces risk of infections, travel time, and PEM"
www.news-medical.net/news/2025112...
"Many of the 621 survey respondents from across the country shared how lifesaving and essential these virtual services are...reduces risk of infections, travel time, and PEM"
www.news-medical.net/news/2025112...
New survey highlights essential role of virtual care for long COVID patients
Preliminary results of a national survey conducted by researchers at the Simon Fraser University Faculty of Health Sciences (SFU FHS) has found that Canadians with Long COVID identified virtual health...
www.news-medical.net
November 27, 2025 at 2:36 PM
'New survey highlights essential role of virtual care for long COVID patients'
"Many of the 621 survey respondents from across the country shared how lifesaving and essential these virtual services are...reduces risk of infections, travel time, and PEM"
www.news-medical.net/news/2025112...
"Many of the 621 survey respondents from across the country shared how lifesaving and essential these virtual services are...reduces risk of infections, travel time, and PEM"
www.news-medical.net/news/2025112...
Virtual health is also a great way to reduce risk of re-infections which we know can lead to deterioration. Seeking healthcare shouldn't come with the risk of leaving the appointment with a new Covid-infection.
Simon Fraser University: 'National survey finds virtual health ‘essential’ for Long COVID support: SFU report'
'PEM, or Post-Exertional Malaise, is common in many people with Long COVID, meaning that physical, mental, or sensory activity triggers can cause a flare-up..'
www.sfu.ca/fhs/news-eve...
'PEM, or Post-Exertional Malaise, is common in many people with Long COVID, meaning that physical, mental, or sensory activity triggers can cause a flare-up..'
www.sfu.ca/fhs/news-eve...
National survey finds virtual health ‘essential’ for Long COVID support: SFU report
Researchers at the SFU Faculty of Health Sciences surveyed Canadian Long COVID patients, and found that many people with the condition consider virtual care "lifesaving and essential," while also noti...
www.sfu.ca
November 26, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Virtual health is also a great way to reduce risk of re-infections which we know can lead to deterioration. Seeking healthcare shouldn't come with the risk of leaving the appointment with a new Covid-infection.
Reposted by Astrid Meyer-Knutsen
Medscape: 'How to Help With ME/CFS and Long COVID Disability Claims'
By Miriam E. Tucker
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
By Miriam E. Tucker
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
How to Help With ME/CFS and Long COVID Disability Claims
A disability attorney specializing in chronic disabling conditions and a physician with extensive experience helping patients file claims offer advice.
www.medscape.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Medscape: 'How to Help With ME/CFS and Long COVID Disability Claims'
By Miriam E. Tucker
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
By Miriam E. Tucker
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Reposted by Astrid Meyer-Knutsen
What You Need to Know About COVID, November 2025
I invite you to read this article I compiled for the World Health Network @thewhn.bsky.social.
whn.global/what-you-nee...
I invite you to read this article I compiled for the World Health Network @thewhn.bsky.social.
whn.global/what-you-nee...
What You Need to Know About COVID, November 2025 - WHN
COVID is the illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2). The virus is spread via infectious aerosols, exhaled by an infected person who may or may not dis...
whn.global
November 26, 2025 at 3:26 AM
What You Need to Know About COVID, November 2025
I invite you to read this article I compiled for the World Health Network @thewhn.bsky.social.
whn.global/what-you-nee...
I invite you to read this article I compiled for the World Health Network @thewhn.bsky.social.
whn.global/what-you-nee...
- ME som diagnos har funnits länge men trots det är vården fortfarande splittrad kring diagnosen. Det förekommer missförstånd och ibland kan det bli väldigt fel när patienter till exempel uppmanas att träna, trots att de bara blir sämre, säger Per Julin
www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/Jb...
www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/Jb...
Maja, 21, är sängliggande – dygnet runt: ”Har bett om att få dö”
AVESTA. Säsongsjobb i Sälen och utlandsresor. För tre år sedan såg 21-åriga Maja ljust på framtiden. I dag är hennes enda dröm att ta sig ut ur det sovrum där
www.aftonbladet.se
November 25, 2025 at 3:09 PM
- ME som diagnos har funnits länge men trots det är vården fortfarande splittrad kring diagnosen. Det förekommer missförstånd och ibland kan det bli väldigt fel när patienter till exempel uppmanas att träna, trots att de bara blir sämre, säger Per Julin
www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/Jb...
www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/Jb...
Reposted by Astrid Meyer-Knutsen
CIDRAP: 'Long COVID takes $1 trillion global economic toll each year, analysis suggests'
"The economic modelling and management strategies for other chronic post-viral syndromes or debilitating conditions (e.g., ME/CFS..) can provide valuable insights.."
www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/lon...
"The economic modelling and management strategies for other chronic post-viral syndromes or debilitating conditions (e.g., ME/CFS..) can provide valuable insights.."
www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/lon...
Long COVID takes $1 trillion global economic toll each year, analysis suggests
www.cidrap.umn.edu
November 24, 2025 at 9:43 PM
CIDRAP: 'Long COVID takes $1 trillion global economic toll each year, analysis suggests'
"The economic modelling and management strategies for other chronic post-viral syndromes or debilitating conditions (e.g., ME/CFS..) can provide valuable insights.."
www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/lon...
"The economic modelling and management strategies for other chronic post-viral syndromes or debilitating conditions (e.g., ME/CFS..) can provide valuable insights.."
www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/lon...