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Miles W. Griffis

@mileswgriffis.bsky.social

Co-founder/editor @TheSickTimes.org Columnist @HighCountryNews.org miles@thesicktimes.org #LongCOVID

611 Posts5960 Follower 661 Folgt

Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 22h ago

And these lab leak folks never talk about Office of Long Covid being shut down by the Trump admin. Shows how unserious they are re Covid.

Ryan Marino, MD@ryanmarino.bsky.social · 22h ago

If you are talking about “lab leak” in 2026, I genuinely think you are an unserious person who does not deserve the respect of a debate

betsy ladyzhets 😷@betsyladyzhets.bsky.social · yesterday

Today @thesicktimes.org: Actor and playwright Elizabeth Pugh argues that Long COVID organizations should use person-first language, drawing on her own experience with HIV/AIDS activism in the 1990s. thesicktimes.org/2026/08/04/t...

There’s a long history of person-first language in advocacy. Here’s why we should use it for Long COVID. - The Sick Times

Labeling people with Long COVID as “patients” is stigmatizing and personally and politically harmful. It strips personal agency. And frankly, it’s bad PR.

thesicktimes.org

Melody Schreiber @melodyschreiber.com · 2d ago

“Without this, people become homeless. They lose their income. They lose their stability. Whatever tiny safety net they had is gone,” @shannonrosa.bsky.social said. “It’s just cruel.” My latest: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

‘Just cruel’: Medicaid halt in California and Minnesota plunges caregivers and disabled people into uncertainty

Shock and fury as Trump administration holds back Medicaid funding to states over alleged caregiving fraud

theguardian.com

Long Covid Kids @longcovidkids.bsky.social · 4d ago

disabling, health problems following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Those are two different conversations. Given your role as a journalist, you may find this paper of interest: A critical analysis of UK media characterisations of Long Covid in children and young people. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...

A critical analysis of UK media characterisations of Long Covid in children and young people

Long Covid is the continuation or development of symptoms related to a SARSCoV2 infection. Those with Long Covid may face epistemic injustice, where they are unjustifiably viewed as unreliable evaluat...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Melissa Gira Grant @melissagiragrant.com · 3d ago

most of us were, at best, temporarily quarantined. some of us still are because too many people didn't want to be inconvenienced any longer

Melissa Gira Grant @melissagiragrant.com · 3d ago

if you hated covid "lockdowns" try long covid

Dave Andress @davidandress.bsky.social · 3d ago

Covid lockdowns demonstrated, in a deeply imperfect way, the possibility of large-scale social solidarity for a higher cause. That is a prime reason why so many powerful people want us to run screaming away from them into the comforting arms of selfish individualist competition.

The Xylom @thexylom.com · 5d ago

NEW: America’s prison population is aging into disability and disease. Understaffed clinics and delayed treatments turn serving life into a death sentence: as the system breaks down, the logic behind decades-long sentences begins to unravel. This story is copublished by @thenation.com:

‘We Are Such A Punitive Country’: America’s ‘Death by Incarceration’ Machine

America’s prison population is aging into disability and disease. Understaffed clinics and delayed treatments turn serving life into a death sentence: as the system breaks down, the logic behind…

thexylom.com

Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH)@durhamhealthnc.bsky.social · 6d ago

Did you know Long COVID can affect children? If your child has experienced new or ongoing symptoms after having COVID-19, talk to your doctor about the possibility of Long COVID. Learn more about Long COVID: www.cdc.gov/long-covid/a...

Long COVID can last weeks, months, or years after COVID-19 infection. It can affect people of all ages and significantly impact their quality of life, even if they had no previous health conditions.

Talk to your child’s doctor about Long COVID if they are experiencing new or ongoing symptoms after having COVID-19.

Long COVID can
affect anyone. The only way to be sure to avoid Long COVID is to avoid COVID-19. The best ways to prevent COVID-19 are wearing the highest quality mask available to you, staying up to date on vaccines, and maintaining clean, ventilated air indoors.

babs ✨@itsbabs.bsky.social · 7d ago

mask blocs, clean air clubs, and other anticovid / clean air organizing emerged under biden for a reason 😷✨

Jessica Ellis@baddestmamajama.bsky.social · 7d ago

We will be ready to have a real discussion about Covid when we accept the fact that “the vulnerable will fall by the wayside,” said by Fauci, under Biden, was eugenicist policy.

The Sick Times @thesicktimes.org · 6d ago

🧠 Small study: found persistent neuromuscular abnormalities in Long COVID 💊 Small trial: taking Paxlovid during acute COVID-19 may help reduce the risk of Long COVID ⚡️ Researchers announced a new, controversial trial to study the “Lightning Process” for Long COVID thesicktimes.org/2026/07/28/r...

ID: A science illustration of the muscles of the human back and arm. The muscles appear red as the subject lifts their right arm, helping accentuate the muscles. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Long COVID research updates. Small study: found persistent neuromuscular abnormalities in Long COVID. Small trial: taking Paxlovid during acute COVID-19 may help reduce the risk of Long COVID. Researchers announced a new, controversial trial to study the ‘Lightning Process’ for Long COVID.”

A new study found persistent neuromuscular abnormalities in Long COVID. The small study, published in Neurophysiologie Clinique, included 50 people with Long COVID who underwent two types of electromyography tests, which can provide objective measures of muscle function. Danish researchers performed the tests on specific muscles in the arms and legs, finding that 60% of the cohort had abnormal results in one or both of the tests, more than a year after their first exam. “These findings suggest ongoing neuromuscular dysfunction,” the authors wrote, noting that the study’s biggest limitation was a selection bias and that the results can’t be generalized for all people with Long COVID.

Taking Paxlovid during acute COVID-19 may help reduce the risk of Long COVID, according to a small trial. The results add to a set of large electronic health record studies that found the drug to be largely ineffective in preventing Long COVID; this new study is one of the first randomized control trials. Norwegian researchers included 144 people in the study, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, who took the antiviral during acute COVID-19, or a placebo. They found the risk of Long COVID symptoms at three months was 40% lower for the Paxlovid group than for the placebo group. Still, the researchers said the findings should be interpreted with caution because of the small sample size, noting that the trial’s study recruitment was terminated early. “There is a risk of overestimating treatment efficacy,” they stated.

Researchers announced a new, controversial trial to study the “Lightning Process” for Long COVID. The heavily criticized “mind body intervention” has failed in trials for similar diseases and caused harm in people with Long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). The intervention has also been accused of “exploiting people” and called “quackery” by a psychologist; it was exposed in a BBC investigation. The new study, based at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, aims to recruit 100 participants who will either undergo the three day program and a few follow-up calls, or “pacing sessions,” for 26 weeks total. The primary outcome measure researchers are using for the trial is the subjective Checklist Individual Strength (CIS-Fatigue) survey, which has been criticized to “overestimate” improvements when used as a primary outcome measure.

Melissa Gira Grant @melissagiragrant.com · 7d ago

the long trauma of covid will be with us so long as people live in denial of the fact that covid is not over

The Fig Economy@figgityfigs.bsky.social · last wk.

One of my Crank Theories of Everything, at least of Everything in the Recent Past, is that we are dealing (badly) with COVID trauma we’d mostly prefer to pretend never happened.

Britta Shoot @brittashoot.com · last wk.

“This renewed incarnation of ACT UP [Chicago] focuses on three advocacy and protest tentpoles: attacks on HIV/AIDS funding, the domestic trans genocide and the ongoing and unmitigated COVID pandemic.” We do so love to see it 🫡

ACT UP, Groundbreaking Group That Fights AIDS, Returns To Chicago

The group that uses direct action to advocate for LGBTQ+ people and causes is reforming after a 30-year hiatus, with a focus on protecting trans people and more.

blockclubchicago.org

Long Covid Kids @longcovidkids.bsky.social · last wk.

A thoughtful perspective from teacher Flynn Lovelace on what they've witnessed in classrooms since the pandemic. Children deserve the opportunity to learn, participate and thrive. We're grateful to see these experiences shared. 🧡 Worth a read. thesicktimes.org/2026/07/24/t... @thesicktimes.org

The (sick) kids aren’t alright: Observations from a teacher with Long COVID - The Sick Times

We must help students by addressing Long COVID and advocating for clean air in schools.

thesicktimes.org

The Sick Times @thesicktimes.org · last wk.

The 14th annual Dysautonomia International conference outside Houston included presentations on the role of autoimmunity in dysautonomia and a biobank initiative for POTS research. thesicktimes.org/2026/07/28/d...

ID: Collage graphic featuring images of a cowboy hat, downtown Houston, Texas, a diagram of a heart, and a person checking their heart rate on a smartwatch. The photos are interspersed with light blue and pink rectangles, over a background showing heart rate diagrams on pink graph paper. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Dysautonomia conference centers biomarkers and post-exertional malaise. By Rachel Fairbank.”

Key points you should know:

Over 400 clinicians, researchers, and people with dysautonomia gathered in person in The Woodlands, Texas, with an additional 1,000 joining virtually for over 50 sessions. The conference was organized by the advocacy group Dysautonomia International.

Some of the conference themes included the growing evidence that dysautonomia is an inflammatory and autoimmune condition and the role of mast cell dysfunction in driving symptoms.

Key points you should know:

Dysautonomia International is launching a biobank initiative, called POTS BRAIN, to help facilitate POTS research. Their first study will be looking at markers for iron storage and inflammation. They are hoping to eventually recruit remote participants.

Multiple sessions discussed myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) as a common comorbidity, and offered advice on how to recognize and mitigate the challenges of post-exertional malaise (PEM).

Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · last wk.

RFK Jr. and Oz attacked California for its Medicaid home care, citing growth as proof of fraud. For @motherjones.com, I reported on how the growth isn't proof of fraud, and growth of participants is proof the program is more accessible than in other states. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

California does Medicaid home care well. They're being punished for it.

Republicans are deferring $850 million from the state because of unfounded fraud claims.

motherjones.com

C.H. Romatowski @chromatowski.bsky.social · last wk.

The current state of Long Covid care:

Lilith@nicepersonality.social · last wk.

I got a referral to a Long COVID clinic six months ago, and the earliest intake appointment available was next month. I got a voicemail on Friday informing me that my appointment was cancelled because the clinic no longer does long COVID treatment. More bummed out about this than I’d’ve guessed tbh

The Sick Times @thesicktimes.org · last wk.

Why is airborne disease transmission still controversial to doctors? In this week's episode of Still Here (@produced by @melaniemarich.bsky.social), co-hosts @mileswgriffis.bsky.social and @betsyladyzhets.bsky.social talk to Lola Germs about that and more. thesicktimes.org/2026/07/24/w...

White text on a stylized green background of air particles reads, "Despite the overwhelming evidence and research [00:01:00] for airborne disease spread that has emerged in the last few decades, the medical community has been slow to adopt the measures to match." On the right, cutouts of a megaphone and podcast microphone.

Miles W. Griffis @mileswgriffis.bsky.social · last wk.

"The idea that exercise is the best medicine for all people with POTS still lingers. As Davenport noted, “We need to interrogate who has the fear here. We can’t be afraid of not exercising.” @sweetsciencewriter.bsky.social's write up on the DI conference for TST 🫀 thesicktimes.org/2026/07/28/d...

Dysautonomia conference centers biomarkers and post-exertional malaise - The Sick Times

The 14th annual Dysautonomia International conference outside Houston included presentations on the role of autoimmunity in dysautonomia and a biobank initiative for POTS research.

thesicktimes.org

Jon Douglas @atranscendedman.bsky.social · last wk.

Kennedy Krieger Institute surveyed 58 caregivers. Over 65% said their child with Long COVID felt out of place, while 40% said others dismissed their struggles. Stigma can block medical care and school support. www.nature.com/articles/s41...

A call to educate: counteracting enacted stigma in children with long COVID - Pediatric Research

Pediatric Research - A call to educate: counteracting enacted stigma in children with long COVID

nature.com

The Sick Times @thesicktimes.org · last wk.

"The quiet normalization of COVID-19 in our society has come at the great expense of school-age children and adolescents." thesicktimes.org/2026/07/24/t...

ID: Collage graphic with two dark silhouettes, one of a young man and one of a young woman, against a background photo of a school hallway, with linoleum walls and red lockers on either side of the image. The text reads, “The Sick Times. The (sick) kids aren’t alright: Observations from a teacher with Long COVID. We must help students by addressing Long COVID and advocating for clean air in schools. By Flynn Lovelace.”

If we want kids to have the opportunity to learn, to grow, to be, then we must do what we can to keep them alive and well. To quote Madeline Lane-McKinley from her book Solidarity with Children, “We cannot allow ourselves or each other to surrender the future.”

- Flynn Lovelace, The (sick) kids aren’t alright: Observations from a teacher with Long COVID

Disability Culture Lab @disabilitylab.bsky.social · last wk.

Today is the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As we honor the incredible labor it took to pass the ADA, we also recognize that law has never equaled access for many of us who are multi-marginalized and disabled. We must move towards radical inclusion for all of us.

Long Covid SOS @longcovidsos.bsky.social · 2w ago

23rd July, the iPaper published an article on #ME/CFS and #LongCovid titled “75 people claim to be cured of chronic fatigue and long Covid. Here’s how” Read our statement on it at www.longcovidsos.org/post/our-pos...

Our position on the iPaper article

Yesterday, 23rd July, the iPaper published an article on ME/CFS and Long Covid titled "75 people claim to be cured of chronic fatigue and long Covid. Here's how"

longcovidsos.org

betsy ladyzhets 😷@betsyladyzhets.bsky.social · 2w ago

Today @thesicktimes.org: Writer Flynn Lovelace shares his experience as a teacher with Long COVID, seeing signs of the disease among his students. "Since 2020, disease has held a constant, detrimental grip on classrooms across K–12 (and higher) education," he writes.

The (sick) kids aren’t alright: Observations from a teacher with Long COVID - The Sick Times

We must help students by addressing Long COVID and advocating for clean air in schools.

thesicktimes.org

The Sick Times @thesicktimes.org · 2w ago

Long COVID’s heterogenous nature means vast variations in symptoms and severity that may also make it more difficult to study and design good treatment trials. How do you separate strong studies from weak ones, and spot the bunk? Read more from @spichaksimon.bsky.social: bit.ly/4fxNWli

ID: Collage graphic featuring a bar chart, an image of a mouse, a bottle of white pills turned over on its side, a gloved hand holding a petri dish, and a researcher peering into a microscope. The background of the image is blue and white graph paper. The text reads, “The Sick Times. How to interpret clinical trial results for Long COVID. By Simon Spichak.”

What kind of study is it?

Observational studies: Follow people over time, with no randomization or control group.

Clinical trials: Experiments that investigate how a drug is absorbed in the body, its safety, and its efficacy.

Phase 1 trials: test the safety of a new supplement, medication, or device.

Phase 2 trials: help provide a sign of whether the drug might work.

Phase 3 trials: are the final stage for new treatments. These are large studies conducted across multiple hospitals or research centers that pit a new drug or medical device against a placebo.

Phase 4 trials: may add more safety and effectiveness data or test whether an approved treatment or supplement could be repurposed.

Denis - The COVID Info Guy @thecovidinfoguy.bsky.social · 2w ago

USA: "A 5th person has died in connection with the Legionnaires’ outbreak in New York City" "Officials also confirmed that live Legionella bacteria had been discovered in 34 cooling towers at 33 buildings through culture tests." #NYCLegionnaires

Fifth death reported in NYC Legionnaires’ outbreak

As of Tuesday, eighty-two cases of Legionnaires’ disease had also been identified in connection with the outbreak.

thehill.com

Melody Schreiber @melodyschreiber.com · 2w ago

Last year, the CDC lost much of its funding for battling parasites -- including cyclospora. Each of these outbreaks -- hantavirus, Ebola, measles -- are a warning sign that were not ready for the next big one, former top CDC officials are warning. My latest: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

CDC cuts leave US less prepared for disease outbreaks, former officials warn

As measles, hantavirus and cyclospora spread, experts say lost staff and expertise are slowing the response

theguardian.com

betsy ladyzhets 😷@betsyladyzhets.bsky.social · 2w ago

Today @thesicktimes.org: @spichaksimon.bsky.social wrote a detailed explainer on how to interpret clinical trial results, focusing on issues that come up specifically for Long COVID trials. thesicktimes.org/2026/07/21/h...

How to interpret clinical trial results for Long COVID - The Sick Times

With no proven treatments or cures, many people with Long COVID are turning to off-label medications, supplements, and medical devices to treat their symptoms. There are numerous options — and some of...

thesicktimes.org

The Sick Times @thesicktimes.org · 2w ago

Many disabled people rely on others to meet their most basic survival needs. When adequate support from governments and medical systems is not available, this level of dependency places disabled people at high risk of neglect, exploitation, and abuse. thesicktimes.org/2026/07/20/a...

A digital illustration shows a woman lying on a bed, an eye mask covering the top half of her face. She is wearing a tank top and has short, tightly curled hair. The illustration is all in grayscale and has a somber air. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Abandoned by our governments, people with severe ME and Long COVID are supported by severely ill peers. Mari, a Black Canadian woman with severe myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), is supported by fellow people with ME in the absence of institutional care. By Whitney Fox.”

“I didn’t have anyone close to me who cared enough to help me when I wasn’t being happy and friendly,”

Melissa Gira Grant @melissagiragrant.com · 2w ago

I’ve been doing some in-depth reporting on the Prairieland cases, and had to get this out first as I continue to dig: I spoke with Ana Bell, sister of Des, who it turns out co-owns and runs an indie bookstore. We talked about the case, the judge, book banning, ICE killings, and living through this:

My Brother Was Sentenced to 30 Years for Moving a Box of Zines

The sister of a defendant in the Prairieland case, which targeted Texas ICE protesters, speaks out.

newrepublic.com