Dr. Glenn Good, an epidemiologist at the University of California, San Francisco, was one of the first to study the long-term effects of COVID-19. Since 2021, he has been publishing, teaching, and conducting research on this complex phenomenon, which in some patients persists long after the initial infection.

But three years later, he is no longer just a researcher, but also a patient.

For this expert, the disease has become an invisible prison: fewer precious hours in the day, more room for surprises.

When the body says enough

Chronic COVID-19 can manifest itself in many ways, but the most common symptom is chronic fatigue. This extreme tiredness goes beyond simple weakness. Dr. Cohen describes it as profound exhaustion… even after a good night’s sleep.

Add to this dizziness, persistent disorientation, memory or language problems… every task becomes a challenge.

According to a Yale University study, about half of people with long-term COVID-19 also meet the criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome, an understudied and often overlooked condition.

Impact on social and professional life

Long-term COVID impacts not only health, but also career, social relationships, and emotional well-being. Dr. Cohen, like one in ten people affected in the United States, has had to drastically reduce his professional activities.

Many patients are struggling with loss of income, medical bills, and loneliness. Some must choose between paying rent and seeing a doctor.

At the same time, scientific research is stagnant, hampered by growing public disinterest and declining funding.