The SARS-CoV-2 virus ravaged the entire world in the autumn of 2020. More than 4,000,000 cases were reported in the United States in November. This is more than twice the October number. The hospitals were overwhelmed. 1962 people were killed on the Thursday before Thanksgiving
Now, despite more than 1 million deaths in the United States and more than 6 million worldwide, it’s almost easy to forget that the pandemic’s assault continues. That is, until you hear Belinda Hankins’ story.
Hankins was diagnosed with long COVID. This is a combination of symptoms that may include brain fog, dizziness, crushing fatigue, and pain. It could be affecting 1 in 5 people who have been infected by SARS-CoV-2. One conservative estimate suggests that Hankins may have it. She spoke with Science NewsMeghan Rosen, staff writer at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, during her appointment in the COVID clinic.
“For months we’ve heard estimates about how many people have long COVID,” Rosen told me. “I was interested in going beyond the stats to find out what it’s like for the patients and doctors living with this.”
This effort included talking to doctors trying to find a treatment for long COVID, even though the cause of the condition is unknown. Hankins. “I thought it was extraordinary that [she] let me into her appointment,” Rosen said. “It’s just so generous and so brave.”
I share Rosen’s gratitude. A journalist asking someone to talk to you in the middle of a life-altering illness is a huge request. I always worry that people might feel pressure to participate, and I want to be sure that they’ve had time to think through the implications of going public with personal information. Hankins was very clear in explaining why she said yes. “She wanted to share her story because a lot of people in her life don’t know what long COVID is and why she’s still so sick,” Rosen said.
Rosen brings both empathy and serious science to her reporting. Rosen holds a doctorate in molecular and biochemistry biology and graduated from the University of California Santa Cruz science journalism program. She explored careers in biotech but decided that wasn’t the right fit. She wanted to write about medicine and health.
This is actually Rosen’s third stint at Science NewsFirst as an intern, then as reporter and finally, after five years of communications work at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, back on the job. We’re glad she’s back. She’s not just tackling complicated issues around COVID-19.How U.S. health guidelines impact kids at school (SN Online 8/19/22), she’s also been sharing her delight in science. Stories on genetic variants related to Uncombed hair in children (SN: 10/8/22 & 10/22/22, p. 5An unusual “snough” call that zoo gorillas appear to have invented to get zookeepers’ attention (SN Online 8/10/22); and A robotic pill to deliver drugsBy scrubbing out the mucus from your intestines.
Yes, science is serious and important, but it’s also crazy fun. I don’t think I’m ready to sign up for the robotic intestinal scrub brush, but I sure do enjoy finding out about it.
