COVID Chronicles
@covidchronicles.bsky.social
Chronicling my journey through purgatory, graphically. Former athlete/composer/writer/woodworker. Saddled with debilitating COVID-induced metabolic dysfunction since Nov 2022. #LongCOVID #LC #MECFS #PEM #SickJokes
An exchange that stuck with me from the miniseries Chernobyl is "explain to me how an RBMK reactor can explode". The answer? It can't.
And yet it did.
THAT's where we're at. You are very much alone in pretending it isn't. 4/4
And yet it did.
THAT's where we're at. You are very much alone in pretending it isn't. 4/4
December 7, 2025 at 7:55 PM
An exchange that stuck with me from the miniseries Chernobyl is "explain to me how an RBMK reactor can explode". The answer? It can't.
And yet it did.
THAT's where we're at. You are very much alone in pretending it isn't. 4/4
And yet it did.
THAT's where we're at. You are very much alone in pretending it isn't. 4/4
And yes, yours is just an interpretation, because we do not HAVE all the "facts". Lumping me in with the antivaxx is cheap. PAIS is infinitely more nebulous and we do not know what triggers it.
Why do you insist upon attacking me? I am not the enemy. 3/4
Why do you insist upon attacking me? I am not the enemy. 3/4
December 7, 2025 at 7:55 PM
And yes, yours is just an interpretation, because we do not HAVE all the "facts". Lumping me in with the antivaxx is cheap. PAIS is infinitely more nebulous and we do not know what triggers it.
Why do you insist upon attacking me? I am not the enemy. 3/4
Why do you insist upon attacking me? I am not the enemy. 3/4
When it comes to Long COVID, we're still flying blind.
Your patronizing dismissal of it isn't helpful. I don't think people block you because they always disagree with your interpretation, but you are very hard to talk to about such matters. 2/4
Your patronizing dismissal of it isn't helpful. I don't think people block you because they always disagree with your interpretation, but you are very hard to talk to about such matters. 2/4
December 7, 2025 at 7:55 PM
When it comes to Long COVID, we're still flying blind.
Your patronizing dismissal of it isn't helpful. I don't think people block you because they always disagree with your interpretation, but you are very hard to talk to about such matters. 2/4
Your patronizing dismissal of it isn't helpful. I don't think people block you because they always disagree with your interpretation, but you are very hard to talk to about such matters. 2/4
Fact: COVID ended my ability to function normally. Fact: You can't tell me why, yet you sidestep the question entirely saying 'shit happens' and that COVID is now essentially harmless. You do not KNOW that. Because we don't even know how many people are still being disabled by it or why. 1/4
December 7, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Fact: COVID ended my ability to function normally. Fact: You can't tell me why, yet you sidestep the question entirely saying 'shit happens' and that COVID is now essentially harmless. You do not KNOW that. Because we don't even know how many people are still being disabled by it or why. 1/4
I'm not looking to feud with you; it's counterproductive & I've said it before, I appreciate your perspective.
It is an educated understanding of what we know SO FAR. And it does very little in explaining Long COVID.
It might age like wine. It might age like milk. Time will tell.
It is an educated understanding of what we know SO FAR. And it does very little in explaining Long COVID.
It might age like wine. It might age like milk. Time will tell.
December 7, 2025 at 6:56 PM
I'm not looking to feud with you; it's counterproductive & I've said it before, I appreciate your perspective.
It is an educated understanding of what we know SO FAR. And it does very little in explaining Long COVID.
It might age like wine. It might age like milk. Time will tell.
It is an educated understanding of what we know SO FAR. And it does very little in explaining Long COVID.
It might age like wine. It might age like milk. Time will tell.
Respectfully, you are not "The Science"—you're one voice among many—one of the few who simply shrugs off the millions that continue to be disabled. Because it happened before, it's fine? "Get over it"?
Cure my PEM—explain it—and I will. Immediately. You do not have all the answers. Unfortunately.
Cure my PEM—explain it—and I will. Immediately. You do not have all the answers. Unfortunately.
December 7, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Respectfully, you are not "The Science"—you're one voice among many—one of the few who simply shrugs off the millions that continue to be disabled. Because it happened before, it's fine? "Get over it"?
Cure my PEM—explain it—and I will. Immediately. You do not have all the answers. Unfortunately.
Cure my PEM—explain it—and I will. Immediately. You do not have all the answers. Unfortunately.
I don't think "COVID is harmless" any more than "it's airborne AIDS". My opinion is that we don't know, either way—not definitively, not yet.
I am biased by its disabling of me, just as you are from it leaving you unscathed. I care only about understanding the mechanisms at play. Neither of us does
I am biased by its disabling of me, just as you are from it leaving you unscathed. I care only about understanding the mechanisms at play. Neither of us does
December 7, 2025 at 5:27 PM
I don't think "COVID is harmless" any more than "it's airborne AIDS". My opinion is that we don't know, either way—not definitively, not yet.
I am biased by its disabling of me, just as you are from it leaving you unscathed. I care only about understanding the mechanisms at play. Neither of us does
I am biased by its disabling of me, just as you are from it leaving you unscathed. I care only about understanding the mechanisms at play. Neither of us does
I realize I won't convince you & that's ok. My take is that until we know WTF is even happening to me, I'm not going to invite the virus that caused it into my family's life. Dismissing that as doomerism is no more scientific than overstating the risk IMO. Esp considering potential genetic link.
December 7, 2025 at 5:27 PM
I realize I won't convince you & that's ok. My take is that until we know WTF is even happening to me, I'm not going to invite the virus that caused it into my family's life. Dismissing that as doomerism is no more scientific than overstating the risk IMO. Esp considering potential genetic link.
I don't block scientists I disagree with. But we still can't explain post-COVID cognitive impairment & mitochondrial dysfunction. Saying "Post-viral sequelae is nothing new" is a cop out—though it is true—given the number of afflicted. Is no one developing Long COVID anymore? Are we sure of that?
December 7, 2025 at 5:27 PM
I don't block scientists I disagree with. But we still can't explain post-COVID cognitive impairment & mitochondrial dysfunction. Saying "Post-viral sequelae is nothing new" is a cop out—though it is true—given the number of afflicted. Is no one developing Long COVID anymore? Are we sure of that?
Agreed. But increased ventilation standards would go a long way in reducing transmission without the need for paralyzing self-monitoring (which I agree is utterly unsustainable)
December 7, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Agreed. But increased ventilation standards would go a long way in reducing transmission without the need for paralyzing self-monitoring (which I agree is utterly unsustainable)
Influenza, RSV, OC43, NL63, etc, etc didn't render me incapacitated. I'm not a doomer, I'm a long hauler.
Wish it weren't so. Hope it isn't permanent. Looking for answers.
Wish it weren't so. Hope it isn't permanent. Looking for answers.
December 7, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Influenza, RSV, OC43, NL63, etc, etc didn't render me incapacitated. I'm not a doomer, I'm a long hauler.
Wish it weren't so. Hope it isn't permanent. Looking for answers.
Wish it weren't so. Hope it isn't permanent. Looking for answers.
It's harder to dismiss when you're someone who went from athletic to utterly disabled in the space of one mild COVID infection (and who was fully vaccinated with zero comorbidities).
There's a disconnect between my reality and society. What still nags at me is we don't quite know why it happened.
There's a disconnect between my reality and society. What still nags at me is we don't quite know why it happened.
December 7, 2025 at 4:15 PM
It's harder to dismiss when you're someone who went from athletic to utterly disabled in the space of one mild COVID infection (and who was fully vaccinated with zero comorbidities).
There's a disconnect between my reality and society. What still nags at me is we don't quite know why it happened.
There's a disconnect between my reality and society. What still nags at me is we don't quite know why it happened.
We're back to hosting parties in packed apts with closed windows as if we hadn't learned a ton about PAIS and the effectiveness of filtered/ventilated air. Life would be easier to navigate safely if indoor air wasn't stale. And COVID 'doomerism'—in my case—was justified. 1185 days, & counting. 2/2
Day 1072—Why does ME/CFS score so low in quality of life? Because it stunts one's ability to perform daily activities. You can't function. You can't attend functions. Try as you might to carefully pace, PEM crashes are inevitable—and severe. So you remain. Alive but not living; barely even here.
December 7, 2025 at 4:10 PM
We're back to hosting parties in packed apts with closed windows as if we hadn't learned a ton about PAIS and the effectiveness of filtered/ventilated air. Life would be easier to navigate safely if indoor air wasn't stale. And COVID 'doomerism'—in my case—was justified. 1185 days, & counting. 2/2
One caveat: The reason it's so hard to remain safe from Long COVID is that no indoor public space is sufficiently ventilated, no one realizes their "sniffles" might still cripple someone like me (for reasons unknown).
The choice shouldn't be between Russian roulette and total social isolation. 1/2
The choice shouldn't be between Russian roulette and total social isolation. 1/2
December 7, 2025 at 4:10 PM
One caveat: The reason it's so hard to remain safe from Long COVID is that no indoor public space is sufficiently ventilated, no one realizes their "sniffles" might still cripple someone like me (for reasons unknown).
The choice shouldn't be between Russian roulette and total social isolation. 1/2
The choice shouldn't be between Russian roulette and total social isolation. 1/2
Hear, hear!
Mark Ungrin is the real deal.
Mark Ungrin is the real deal.
A lot of short cuts are being made by people who should know better—myself included
@mark-ungrin.bsky.social offers a much needed reminder, which I reformated for legibility. Know what you don't know.
TRUST.
BUT VERIFY.
A must-read for all who care about getting it right
#MedSky #COVID #LongCOVID
@mark-ungrin.bsky.social offers a much needed reminder, which I reformated for legibility. Know what you don't know.
TRUST.
BUT VERIFY.
A must-read for all who care about getting it right
#MedSky #COVID #LongCOVID
December 7, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Hear, hear!
Mark Ungrin is the real deal.
Mark Ungrin is the real deal.
Time to start writing the wrongs, then.
We should reach out to ME/CFS, Long COVID & Clean Air advocacy groups and urge them to coordinate letter-writing campaigns to elected officials demanding science-based Public Health (clean air, PSAs).
Pressure our respective MPs and the press. #CanPoli
We should reach out to ME/CFS, Long COVID & Clean Air advocacy groups and urge them to coordinate letter-writing campaigns to elected officials demanding science-based Public Health (clean air, PSAs).
Pressure our respective MPs and the press. #CanPoli
MONTBLANC | '100 Years of MEISTERSTÜCK'
YouTube video by Montblanc
www.youtube.com
December 7, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Time to start writing the wrongs, then.
We should reach out to ME/CFS, Long COVID & Clean Air advocacy groups and urge them to coordinate letter-writing campaigns to elected officials demanding science-based Public Health (clean air, PSAs).
Pressure our respective MPs and the press. #CanPoli
We should reach out to ME/CFS, Long COVID & Clean Air advocacy groups and urge them to coordinate letter-writing campaigns to elected officials demanding science-based Public Health (clean air, PSAs).
Pressure our respective MPs and the press. #CanPoli
I applaud you for blaming the right people. 🙏 🎯
Public Health leaves us with two choices: play Russian roulette (no idea of the odds), or be forced to live in an increasingly isolated bubble.
Even with a daily reminder of how COVID can end your functional life, this is unbearably hard. Needlessly.
Public Health leaves us with two choices: play Russian roulette (no idea of the odds), or be forced to live in an increasingly isolated bubble.
Even with a daily reminder of how COVID can end your functional life, this is unbearably hard. Needlessly.
December 6, 2025 at 9:31 PM
I applaud you for blaming the right people. 🙏 🎯
Public Health leaves us with two choices: play Russian roulette (no idea of the odds), or be forced to live in an increasingly isolated bubble.
Even with a daily reminder of how COVID can end your functional life, this is unbearably hard. Needlessly.
Public Health leaves us with two choices: play Russian roulette (no idea of the odds), or be forced to live in an increasingly isolated bubble.
Even with a daily reminder of how COVID can end your functional life, this is unbearably hard. Needlessly.
The lack of diagnostic tests has done us no favours. It's been too easy for institutions to hide behind the unknowns (how many people actually have Long COVID? What even IS Long COVID? How bad IS it?)
Lawyers, like Doctors, need something to work with. COVID's given us only questions, not answers
Lawyers, like Doctors, need something to work with. COVID's given us only questions, not answers
December 6, 2025 at 9:27 PM
The lack of diagnostic tests has done us no favours. It's been too easy for institutions to hide behind the unknowns (how many people actually have Long COVID? What even IS Long COVID? How bad IS it?)
Lawyers, like Doctors, need something to work with. COVID's given us only questions, not answers
Lawyers, like Doctors, need something to work with. COVID's given us only questions, not answers
Good to know we're all on the same page.
Not great to know we're all in the same boat.
Public Health (EVERYWHERE) didn't just fail us—they are actively failing us, in real-time. As if Long COVID "just happens". As if it didn't still ruin lives.
This is unsustainable. So how do we correct it?
Not great to know we're all in the same boat.
Public Health (EVERYWHERE) didn't just fail us—they are actively failing us, in real-time. As if Long COVID "just happens". As if it didn't still ruin lives.
This is unsustainable. So how do we correct it?
The flip-side: My son (m16) just left for a friend's (f17) house party & will be the only N95 there
No ventilation or testing
Because nobody sees the risk
He'll have to step out early
Will say it's to keep me safe
How is that fair?
This wouldn't be so hard if public health did it's FUCKING JOB
No ventilation or testing
Because nobody sees the risk
He'll have to step out early
Will say it's to keep me safe
How is that fair?
This wouldn't be so hard if public health did it's FUCKING JOB
If you live with someone who has long Covid or a post-viral illness & you’re doing a weekly circuit of maskless bars, restaurants & concerts, you're not "living your life." You're sacrificing theirs
December 6, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Good to know we're all on the same page.
Not great to know we're all in the same boat.
Public Health (EVERYWHERE) didn't just fail us—they are actively failing us, in real-time. As if Long COVID "just happens". As if it didn't still ruin lives.
This is unsustainable. So how do we correct it?
Not great to know we're all in the same boat.
Public Health (EVERYWHERE) didn't just fail us—they are actively failing us, in real-time. As if Long COVID "just happens". As if it didn't still ruin lives.
This is unsustainable. So how do we correct it?
Reposted by COVID Chronicles
Exactly this. Only I didn't put it so gently.
December 6, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Exactly this. Only I didn't put it so gently.
Exactly this. Only I didn't put it so gently.
December 6, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Exactly this. Only I didn't put it so gently.