The Sick Times

@thesicktimes.org

Award-winning nonprofit news site chronicling the #LongCOVID crisis. Founded by @BetsyLadyzhets.bsky.social & @MilesWGriffis.bsky.social

Website: thesicktimes.org
Newsletter: thesicktimes.org/newsletter
Donate: the-sick-times.fundjournalism.org

@thesicktimes.org Oct 9, 2026, 3:54 PM

Long Covid Superheroes showcases the bravery of asking for help, resting, and being compassionate with yourself and others.

The cover of Long COVID Superheroes features illustrated kids in pajama-capes holding hands and drifting through the air. The text reads “The Sick Times. Kids with Long COVID co-created their own superhero comic book. By Heather Hogan. Arts & Culture.”

An illustration of Joy Explorer, a superhero with Long COVID using a wheelchair. The text reads "Unlike Marvel-style superheroes who possess superhuman strength, invincibility, and rugged individualism, these superheroes showcase bravery by asking for help, resting, and being compassionate with themselves and others. For example, Joy Explorer, created by Sophia, uses her Joy Vision Goggles to locate small joys that keep her going. Nebuli, created by Lucy, generates pocket universes to escape the boredom of being housebound."

@crookedneighbor.bsky.social Oct 9, 2026, 12:11 AMReposted by @thesicktimes.org

Mask up, bring water and snacks and chargers, and don't forget to be mindful of your own safety needs. If you are disabled or chronically ill (or a caregiver), this article that I wrote for @thesicktimes.org is not necessarily about rapid response, but parts of it may be relevant.

@thesicktimes.org Oct 8, 2026, 4:15 PM

This week's #LongCOVID research updates from @mileswgriffis.bsky.social: thesicktimes.org/2026/10/06/r...

Helicobacter pylori infection seen medical imaging. The bacteria appears dark brown in clumps in an endoscopic gastric biopsy image. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Long COVID research updates. As many as 2.3 million new cases of cancer were triggered by infections worldwide in 2024. One in 10 adults stated that COVID-19 worsened a pre-existing health condition long term. A recent commentary argues that Long COVID is an occupational disease for teachers.”

🤒 As many as 2.3 million new cases of cancer were triggered by infections worldwide in 2024, according to new research in The Lancet Oncology. French researchers analyzed a large database of cancer incidence from 2024, looking at specific diagnoses that were attributable to infections. They assessed twelve infections including HIV and found that the bacteria H. pylori, human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) had the largest number of cases attributable to them. The researchers concluded that some of these infections, like HPV and HBV, are preventable with vaccines, and that more research for EBV vaccines is needed. EBV has also been linked to multiple sclerosis and Lupus. The study did not assess SARS-CoV-2.

🦠 One in 10 adults stated that COVID-19 worsened a pre-existing health condition long term, according to a new preprint. Researchers conducted a study between 2023 and 2025 that included 2,227 adults from four sites around the U.S. who took three surveys over the course of a year after having COVID-19. “Respondents in our study shared struggles with stress and social isolation as they live with chronic conditions and the risk of reinfection or newly worsening condition,” the authors wrote.

👩🏽‍🏫 A recent commentary in NEW SOLUTIONS argues that Long COVID is an occupational disease for teachers. The article states this profession has a high risk of Long COVID and COVID-19 and recommends policies including air cleaning and ventilation to benefit both teachers and students, as well as disability supports compliant with the American with Disabilities Act. “Making these proposed investments in future research and practice to promote teachers’ occupational health could help support and replenish the teacher workforce,” the authors concluded.

@thesicktimes.org Oct 7, 2026, 4:08 PM

Researchers, clinicians, and advocates gathered for the inaugural conference of the International Society for Long COVID and Post-Acute Infection Syndromes in the Netherlands in late August.

Collage graphic featuring a photo of buildings along a canal in Amsterdam, a cluster of tulips, an anatomical diagram showing the human brain and spinal cord, and a diagram of microbes, interspersed with colored blocks in golden and light green. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Biological pathways and mechanistic trials centered at new Long COVID conference in Amsterdam. By David Tuller. Reporting.”

Key points you should know:

In late August, the International Society for Long COVID and Post-Acute Infection Syndromes hosted its inaugural gathering in Amsterdam. Hundreds hobnobbed in the H’ART Museum, a major cultural and conference facility in the heart of the city.

Presenters acknowledged that a series of clinical trials had produced disappointing results. They focused on seeking lessons from the null findings and called for more smartly designed trials targeting the pathological mechanisms believed to be involved.

Some presenters highlighted innovative use of electronic wearables and remote monitoring in an effort to improve research and accurately track biological events, such as the occurrence of post-exertional malaise.

PROBE-PASC, a program centering mechanistic trials for Long COVID funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, was revealed during the conference.

@mileswgriffis.bsky.social Oct 6, 2026, 6:25 PMReposted by @thesicktimes.org

“The best way to understand the biology of the disease is … to disrupt the pathways we think are at play to see what happens."

@davetuller1.bsky.social reported on the recent ISLC-PAIS conference in Amsterdam, highlighting key points from the multi-day event.

thesicktimes.org/2026/10/06/b...

@betsyladyzhets.bsky.social Oct 6, 2026, 4:53 PMReposted by @thesicktimes.org

Today @thesicktimes.org: @davetuller1.bsky.social recaps the recent ISLC-PAIS conference in Amsterdam, featuring clinical trial updates, talks on PEM, and more. thesicktimes.org/2026/10/06/b...

@thesicktimes.org Oct 6, 2026, 4:33 PM

COVID-19 trends continue to diverge by region. The Northwest seems to be the latest hotspot, and Western states overall are seeing an early start to flu season. thesicktimes.org/2026/10/06/n...

Graphic from The Sick Times sharing the latest COVID-19 trends for October 6, 2026. The graphic presents trends for three metrics: WastewaterSCAN category for SARS-CoV-2, which is "high" (represented with red) and slightly decreasing (represented with a diagonal down arrow); CDC wastewater viral activity level for SARS-Cov-2, which is "very low*" (lighter yellow) and significantly decreasing (directly down arrow); and CDC COVID-19 test positivity, which is moderate (darker yellow) and stable (side to side arrow). Text below these metrics reads: "*CDC wastewater viral activity levels are calculated based on measurements in the last two years only. They do not account for the lower spread that could be possible with more widespread precautions."

COVID-19 trends continue to diverge by region, as some parts of the country are seeing a summer wave taper off and others are seeing cases rise with the onset of colder weather. The Northwest seems to be the latest hotspot, and Western states overall are seeing an early start to flu season.

Cases continue to decline in the South, with wastewater data from the CDC, WastewaterSCAN, and Biobot Analytics as well as test positivity and emergency department visits all showing multiple weeks of decreases for this region. However, COVID-19 levels are still higher in these states, as outbreaks from the summer wave have not yet concluded.
In the West, there seems to be a split between North and South: test positivity rates and ED visits are starting to decline in the Southwest but increasing in the Northwest.

Two line charts showing test positivity rates for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, from the CDC's National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS). The top chart shows trends for health region 9, including Arizona, California, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam, and other island territories; the bottom chart shows trends for health region 10, including Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington state. On both charts, the X axis represents time, going from September 2025 to September 2026, and the Y axis represents the percent of tests reporting positive results each week, going from 0% to 30%. Influenza is represented by a blue line and triangles and SARS-CoV-2 is represented by a red line and circles. Both regions have recently reported higher COVID-19 levels and are starting to report higher flu levels. In the latest data, region 9 is showing a potential decline in COVID-19 and more rapid increase in flu, while region 10 is showing a continued increase in COVID-19 and more muted (but still significant) increase in flu.

The test positivity rate for health region 10, which includes Northwest states, has been over 10% for the last three weeks.
Flu cases are also starting to increase on the West coast. Test positivity data for flu, from the same CDC system where I find these data for COVID-19, show recent increases for both health region 10 and region 9, the Southwest.

I’m watching to see if COVID-19 levels go up further in the Northeast and Midwest, as these regions saw fewer cases this summer and often experience bigger outbreaks with colder weather.
There’s some good news for ongoing data availability: the CDC has awarded a new wastewater testing contract to Verily covering about 200 sites in the CDC's network. As Verily also had the prior contract for these sites, there will be a shorter gap in data than if the CDC was switching to a different contractor. It’s still unclear how long we may see a reporting break, though — the latest note on the CDC dashboard simply says “there will be a brief gap.”

@mileswgriffis.bsky.social Oct 5, 2026, 7:00 PMReposted by @thesicktimes.org

"One study found that 10-20% of children with a history of COVID-19 develop Long COVID. The same study estimated nearly six million children have Long COVID in the U.S. as of 2024 and that it surpassed asthma as the most common chronic health problem in children."

thesicktimes.org/2026/10/05/k...

@mileswgriffis.bsky.social Oct 5, 2026, 6:58 PMReposted by @thesicktimes.org

"These Long COVID Superheroes may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but they’re showing us a world where listening to your body, standing up for your needs, resting, and leaning on others is true bravery"

📝: @heatherhogan.bsky.social

thesicktimes.org/2026/10/05/k...

@betsyladyzhets.bsky.social Oct 5, 2026, 6:13 PMReposted by @thesicktimes.org

Today @thesicktimes.org: @heatherhogan.bsky.social reviews a new comic book developed by children with Long COVID.

"These superheroes showcase bravery by asking for help, resting, and being compassionate with themselves and others."

@thesicktimes.org Oct 5, 2026, 4:10 PM

Newly knighted ME advocate Anil van der Zee discusses his royal honor with @davetuller1.bsky.social: thesicktimes.org/2026/10/02/a...

ME advocate Anil van der Zee holds the Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau medal in his home. He poses with Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema in a darkened room. The text reads, “Virology Blog x The Sick Times. Anil van der Zee receives Dutch royal distinction. The newly knighted ME advocate discusses his royal honor with David Tuller. Interview.”

I don’t especially care for awards in general, nor do I enjoy doing this “work.” It’s not a new calling in life. I’m not an activist or patient advocate, although I realize others might label me that way. I have better things to do than having to fight for basic healthcare, debunking shoddy science and so on. It’s borne out of sheer desperation as a patient in the hope of getting better or at least being sick with proper care. Just being sick without having to fight for other things we’re currently dealing with as patients would already be amazing.

@octoberk.bsky.social Oct 1, 2026, 8:52 PMReposted by @thesicktimes.org

The lack of information in prison and overall abysmal health care mean that almost no one even knows what Long COVID is, let alone if it explains their experiences. Some people, like Qaurra Rose, have given up seeking healthcare entirely.

thesicktimes.org/2026/09/29/i...

@octoberk.bsky.social Oct 1, 2026, 8:52 PMReposted by @thesicktimes.org

People w Long COVID are stigmatized & ignored throughout society. In prison, it's a situation of almost total silence. Despite very high COVID infection rates, there's no talk abt Long COVID cases. That's a result of the way prisons treat medical needs in general.

thesicktimes.org/2026/09/29/i...

@thesicktimes.org Sep 30, 2026, 4:26 PM

While there are no data sources on Long COVID in prison, experts suspect rates of the disease may be higher there than in the general population. They face high reinfection risks and poor access to medical care.

A graphic shows two images side by side. One are mobility devices, including many walkers, outside of prison cells. Another shows a red SARS-CoV-2 virus contrasted with a black background. The text reads, “The Sick Times. I interviewed five people with Long COVID in prison. They are invisible in the system. By October Krausch.

Meanwhile, her cellmate, Wayland Scott, says he has frequently had problems breathing after COVID-19, and gets winded going up the stairs he must take to get to his cell. Even so, he has not been able to receive an inhaler, despite having one before Long COVID when he first came to prison. “There was a year that they had a big shortage of the albuterol. And when that happened, I got taken off of my inhaler and I’ve never been able to get it back,” he said.

@thesicktimes.org Sep 29, 2026, 10:30 PM

To stay up to date with the latest COVID-19 trends, make sure you're signed up for our newsletter!

You'll get @betsyladyzhets.bsky.social's breakdown every Tuesday, delivered directly to your inbox! thesicktimes.org/newsletter/

The CDC’s infectious disease forecasting center, which uses emergency department data, estimates that COVID-19 cases are “growing or likely growing” in 14 states, “declining or likely declining” in five states, and “not changing” in 18 states as of September 23.
The West coast remains a major hotspot for COVID-19 spread as it’s been throughout the summer. The CDC describes average SARS-CoV-2 levels in wastewater as “high” for California, Oregon, and Washington and “very high” for Hawaii; what the CDC calls “high,” I would characterize as actually very high given the agency’s high baseline for this metric.

Levels might be declining in some parts of the West but are still going up in others.
COVID-19 levels in the South seem to be on the decline, but remain higher as this region has also been a hotspot this summer.
The Northeast might be the next hotspot, with wastewater as well as healthcare system data reporting potential increases.

This week, the CDC’s wastewater dashboard includes a note that data will be interrupted for about 200 testing sites. The note describes this as a “brief gap” in data while the agency awards a new contract to a biotech company that will supplement testing programs at state and local public health departments.
While the CDC says there will be a “brief gap” in data from these sites, it doesn’t provide any specifics on when a new contract will be awarded or how the agency will support places impacted by this break in testing. My story from last June includes more context on this situation.

@thesicktimes.org Sep 29, 2026, 10:30 PM

The current COVID-19 picture remains varied by region: as the summer wave continues into early fall, cases are trending up in the Northeast and parts of the West and down in the South. And an upcoming gap between CDC contracts will further restrict available data. thesicktimes.org/2026/09/29/n...

Graphic from The Sick Times sharing the latest COVID-19 trends for September 29, 2026. The graphic presents trends for three metrics: WastewaterSCAN category for SARS-CoV-2, which is "high" (represented with red) and slightly decreasing (represented with a diagonal down arrow); CDC wastewater viral activity level for SARS-Cov-2, which is "low*" (darker yellow) and stable (side to side arrow); and CDC COVID-19 test positivity, which is moderate (darker yellow) and slightly decreasing. Text below these metrics reads: "*CDC wastewater viral activity levels are calculated based on measurements in the last two years only. They do not account for the lower spread that could be possible with more widespread precautions."

The current COVID-19 picture remains varied by region: as the summer wave continues into early fall, cases are trending up in the Northeast and parts of the West and down in the South. And an upcoming gap between CDC contracts will further restrict available data.

@betsyladyzhets.bsky.social Sep 29, 2026, 7:02 PMReposted by @thesicktimes.org

Really proud to publish this piece by @octoberk.bsky.social on Long COVID in prisons.

"All those who spoke to @thesicktimes.org lacked Long COVID–informed medical care, but more than that, they lacked access to basic information about the disease."
thesicktimes.org/2026/09/29/i...

@mileswgriffis.bsky.social Sep 29, 2026, 6:31 PMReposted by @thesicktimes.org

"John Richard Green, who is imprisoned in Texas, wrote that, w/ Long COVID, his health is “more messed up than the floor of a New York cab...Now I am bedbound, sick, and all alone."

Vital feature by @octoberk.bsky.social about the disease's invisibility in prison.

thesicktimes.org/2026/09/29/i...

@octoberk.bsky.social Sep 29, 2026, 5:54 PMReposted by @thesicktimes.org

this investigation on long COVID inside of prisons is out today at the Sick Times! I worked on this piece for months and am so grateful to the folks who shared their experiences with me. I'll write up a real thread a little later, but you can read it now:
thesicktimes.org/2026/09/29/i...

thesicktimes.orgI interviewed five people with Long COVID in prison. They are invisible in the system. - The Sick TimesWhile there are no data sources on Long COVID in prison, experts suspect rates of the disease may be higher there than in the general population. They face high reinfection risks and poor access to me...

@heatherhogan.bsky.social Sep 26, 2026, 7:55 PMReposted by @thesicktimes.org

It would be so cool if you would take this survey! Instagram is right on your tail with their engagement in our survey, Bluesky! Come on now, don't let META beat you!!!!

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