If you measure your day in spoons then you’ll likely need no reminder from me that today is International Long Covid Awareness Day. You’ll probably be well acquainted with the inner workings of your body and its battery. Hypervigilant to physiological changes, and the daily coughs and splutters of those who share the spaces with you. Afraid to catch it again. Every reinfection risks a return to a place that has been dark and lonely.
Today is a day for those who still wear masks, who brave the stares, the comments, and in some cases the abuse. I see you.
Today is a day for those who have picked up the slack created by the sudden loss of capacity of their loved ones. What would have happened without you? I see you.
Today is a day for the many millions around the world whose lives have forever been changed. I probably do not see you, but I know that you are there.
A life redefined - First by covid, and over time, hopefully more and more by you.
2 million people in the UK already have Long Covid.
More people will develop it.
Covid has not gone away.
I wrote a poem this morning, but have chosen to share one by one of my favourite poets, Mary Oliver instead.
There are many positive things happening to increase awareness.
Long Covid Support (UK) has collected pieces of fabric designed to represent Long Covid by those affected by it. The fabric pieces are being used to create a banner, a tapestry of the lives of those living with Long Covid, and their supporters.
The Long-Covid Support Strategy 2025 Live Launch, with the first viewing of the banner
There is an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Long Covid, ‘made up of MPs and Peers who have a particular interest in Long Covid and the many issues faced by people with the condition… Some of the APPG have Long Covid themselves, have family members or friends with Long Covid, or have been contacted by constituents about Long Covid.’ All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Long Covid - Long Covid Support
The APPG on Long Covid was officially formed in 2025, providing a vital cross-party forum. It will enable like-minded Parliamentarians and organisations to work together on relevant issues such as the prevalence of Long Covid, research, healthcare and raising awareness of the profound impacts Long Covid has on millions of people, whilst outlining our asks to Government.’
THE OFFICERS
Jo Platt - MP for Leigh and Atherton Labour Chair
Jodie Gosling - MP for Nuneaton Labour Vice Chair
Lord Bethell Conservative Vice Chair
Lord Strasburger Liberal Democrat Vice Chair
MEMBERS
Tonia Antoniazzi - MP for Gower (Labour)
Catherine Atkinson - MP for Derby North (Labour)
Maureen Burke - MP for Glasgow North East (Labour)
Bambos Charalambous - MP for Southgate and Wood Green (Labour)
Marsha De Cordova - MP for Battersea (Labour)
Tim Farron - MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Liberal Democrat)
Catherine Fookes - MP for Monmouthshire (Labour)
Sarah Hall - MP for Warrington South (Labour)
Lloyd Hatton - MP for South Dorset (Labour)
Sharon Hodgson - MP for Washington and Gateshead South (Labour)
Ruth Jones - MP for Newport West and Islwyn (Labour)
Alicia Kearns - MP for Rutland and Stamford (Conservative)
Clive Lewis - MP for Norwich South (Labour)
Alice Macdonald - MP for Norwich North (Labour)
Abtisam Mohamed - MP for Sheffield Central (Labour)
Adrian Ramsay - MP for Waveney Valley (Green)
Alex Sobel - MP for Leeds Central and Headingley (Labour)
Peter Swallow - MP for Bracknell (Labour)
Baroness Finlay of Llandaff (Crossbench)
Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench)
Baroness Harris of Richmond (Liberal Democrat)
Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative)
Baroness Nuala O'Loan (Crossbench)
Baroness Watkins of Tavistock (Crossbench)
The Earl of Clancarty (Crossbench)
If you live in the UK and your MP is eligible and not listed as an Officer or Member, you can contact them and ask them to join.
The COVID-19 Day of Reflection 2025 was held last weekend on Sunday 9 March, and a variety of events were arranged across the UK. One of these was at the beautiful National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, commemorating the thousands of people who lost their lives since the pandemic began, and paying tribute to the vital role played by the NHS, its workforce and NHS charities in supporting patients and communities during the pandemic (led by NHS Charities Together). I can’t find an article or video clip of the poems he read, but Michael Rosen was there, reading his poetry. I imagine it was from one of his books on his covid recovery.
Instead I found a clip of the poem he wrote on the 60th anniversary of the NHS, which was part of a fundraiser for NHS Charities Together, in 2021, read by Iain Glen.
These Are the Hands - made in support of NHS Charities Together | BFI
I reviewed both of Rosen’s books on his recovery from Covid, and whilst his is just one of many possible stories that could be written, these accounts are filled with hope as well as a painful description of life in, or teetering on the edge of the ‘pool of glum’.
Communities of people with Long-Covid coined the term 'alive but not living', and like Rosen describe how their often invisible difficulties left them feeling ghosts of their former selves. By writing and sharing his recovery story, expressing what he describes as 'the impossible', Rosen says there is temporary relief in making the subjective, objective. A story of vulnerability | BPS
Five years have passed, and we are recovering and redefining in many different ways.
There is a lot of research going on. People are slowly recovering, and redefining their lives but Long Covid and Covid have not gone away.
How I linger
to admire, admire, admire
the things of this world
that are kind, and maybe
also troubled –
Mary Oliver
Go gently.
Embrace the glimmers.
Photo of the covid sloth- a balloon bought to commemorate a Long Covid anniversary. Using humour to reclaim the story and transform the pain of a forcible change in pace into something playful (Shared with permission).
If Long Covid or Covid has impacted on you there are many places to get support and information- many ways to find the glimmers amongst the darkest days.
Long Covid Support Community Strategy Launch
Find help and support if you have long COVID - GOV.UK
#LongCovidAwarenessDay
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