"Long COVID patients struggle as federal aid ends and treatments are sought"

Patients with long COVID feel abandoned by policymakers as the federal public health emergency ends. Long COVID affects almost every system in the body, with more than 200 symptoms and conditions linked to it. Researchers estimate that 1.6% of U.S. adults, or about 4 million, have symptoms that have significantly reduced their ability to carry out day-to-day activities. Patients are losing hope, and some are experiencing mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. Many long COVID patients are struggling to get medical care and feel swept under the rug.