The Lasting Impact of COVID-19 and How Government Policies Might Be Misaligned
The national COVID-19 pandemic was officially declared over in May 2023. However, new research continues to show that the virus can cause long-term damage, even in cases where the initial infection was mild or symptoms were seemingly insignificant.
Policy Concerns
These findings are raising serious questions about the current administration's approach to handling COVID-19. While research indicates that COVID-19 vaccines can provide protection against these longer-term health impacts, the recommendations for who should receive the vaccine have been significantly limited by the Department of Health and Human Services. Additionally, plans to develop more effective COVID-19 vaccines have been stalled.
This reduction in efforts comes at a time when many scientists are calling for increased funding and extended monitoring for individuals who have been previously infected. As one leading epidemiologist put it, "The legacy of COVID-19 will be long, and we are going to be learning about the chronic effects of the virus for some time."
The administration insists that the COVID-19 vaccine remains available and that people are encouraged to consult with their healthcare providers about the best course of action for them. The COVID-19 vaccine, along with others, remains covered by insurance so as to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for individuals.
The Hidden Danger of COVID-19
Although COVID-19 has become less deadly due to population immunization and virus mutations that have made it less severe, researchers warn that the politicization of the virus is clouding the scientific evidence confirming COVID-19's potential to cause unexpected, possibly chronic health issues. These findings underline the need for more research, as the long-term implications of COVID-19 could lead to increased healthcare costs and greater demands on social programs and caregivers.
The long-term health effects of the disease are estimated to cost $1 trillion globally and $9,000 per patient in the U.S. annually. In the U.S. alone, the annual loss in earnings due to these health effects is estimated to be around $170 billion.
COVID-19's Expansive Reach
Since the virus first emerged in 2019, a great deal has been learned about COVID-19. The term "long COVID" was coined in 2020 to describe the chronic health problems that can persist after infection.
Recent studies have shown that infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can lead to heightened health risks for months to over a year later. For instance, children born to mothers who contracted the virus during pregnancy may face an increased risk for autism, delayed speech and motor development, and other neurodevelopmental challenges.
These findings suggest that avoiding severe COVID-19 infection during pregnancy may not only reduce risk during pregnancy itself but also for future generations. This could provide another compelling reason for vaccination during pregnancy.
Long-Term Health Effects
Studies show that even people who fully recovered from mild COVID-19 infections experienced cognitive deficits equivalent to a three-point drop in IQ. Those with persistent symptoms experienced even greater deficits, equivalent to a nine-point IQ drop for individuals admitted to intensive care.
One retired copywriter reported experiencing brain fog and fatigue after contracting COVID-19 twice. "Some of the fog has lifted. But do I feel like myself? Not like I was," she described.
Data from more than a dozen studies suggests that COVID-19 vaccines can help reduce the risk of severe infection as well as the risk of longer-lasting health effects, although researchers agree that more study is needed. However, vaccination rates in the U.S. remain low, with only about 17% of the adult population reporting that they got the updated shot.
Policy Shifts and Public Health
Despite the growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines, access to these vaccines has been reduced by current administration officials. They have halted nearly $500 million in funding for mRNA-based vaccines, and questioned the safety of this Nobel Prize-winning technology, despite clinical trials with tens of thousands of volunteers conducted before the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines were made available to the public.
Meanwhile, numerous studies continue to show that COVID-19 vaccine benefits include a reduction in the severity of disease, although these protective effects do decrease over time.
Persistent Unknowns
Researchers stress that more support is necessary because there is still much unknown about COVID-19 and its impact on the body. The growing awareness that even mild COVID-19 cases can result in longer-term, often undetected organ damage underscores the need for more examination and research.
COVID-19's potential to affect future generations is also revealing new findings. For example, male mice that had been infected with and then recovered from COVID-19 experienced changes to their sperm that altered their offspring's behavior, causing them to exhibit more anxiety.
Meanwhile, many people are now living and struggling with the after-effects of the virus. For example, one Arizona resident reported significant cognitive decline after recovering from a COVID-19 infection, to the point where she couldn't read and had to leave herself reminders about simple facts. "I was the person who is like the Energizer bunny and all of a sudden I'd get so tired getting dressed that I had to go back to bed," she said.