** Five years after confinement: the long path of COVID-19 and the shadow of COVID LONG **
Five years ago, France plunged into a state of rare silence, the only noise being that of the sirens of ambulances, witnesses of an unprecedented health crisis. The extension of the COVID-19 in the French population quickly transformed the daily life, every moment being now punctuated by government announcements, restrictions and health instructions. While the country is slowly awakening from this long episode of confinement, many people continue to live with the consequences of a disease that has turned the world upside down: the long covid.
Long covid, this term with blurred but very real consequences, designates a variety of persistent symptoms in people initially affected by the virus. Those who suffer from it-estimated in several studies at around 10 to 30 % of people who contracted COVID-19-are often confronted with an impression, isolation and, more insidiously, a feeling of anxiety in the face of a health system which struggles to recognize their suffering.
### late recognition and challenges to overcome
Through the report by Gaëlle Fonseca, published on Fatshimetrics, we meet these resilient patients. Their journey echoes a sad reality: the long covid is still too often minimized, even ignored. Even though the researchers are starting to draw up a lighter table of the long -term effects of the virus, stigmatization and misunderstanding persist.
It is essential to look at this phenomenon from a statistical angle. Recent studies, reported by institutions such as Inserm, show that the prevalence of post-Cavid symptoms is growing, especially in young adults. The most frequently reported symptoms include persistent fatigue, cognitive problems (often called “brain fog”) and chronic pain. For these patients, the return to a normal life is a journey strewn with pitfalls, faced with delays in care, a lack of recognition and often insufficient psychological support.
### A sociological approach: long covid in the prism of daily life
Beyond the figures, the impact of the long covid on the daily life of patients deserves special attention. Many of these individuals, active or students, find themselves in a state of vulnerability where every day becomes a struggle. The reluctance in the recognition of their state by certain employers and even by family members strengthens a feeling of isolation.
It is interesting to note that the COVID LONG also raises societal and ethical questions. The way society deals with these people is indicative of our collective understanding of chronic diseases. Around the world, COVID LONG is now perceived as a new public health issue. If countries like the United Kingdom develop protocols dedicated to the management of these patients, France still seems to be lagging behind. No significant initiative has really seen the light of day to establish an exhaustive support network, nor to raise awareness and demystify this condition.
### Towards a transformation of the health system?
Faced with such a situation, it is imperative to wonder how the French health system can evolve to better accommodate and treat cases of COVVID LONG. The creation of specialized clinics, such as what has been implemented in certain territories, could meet growing demand and support these patients in their healing process. At the same time, a coordinated research effort is necessary to better understand this syndrome and establish concrete care standards.
Likewise, patient involvement in this reflection can make all the difference. Listening to their stories, their struggles and their ways of improvement can offer an invaluable wealth of information for health professionals.
### Conclusion: a necessary awareness
Five years after confinement, France has made progress in its fight against the pandemic, but the spectrum of the long covid remains a worrying and pressing reality. By taking the time to recognize and understand the effects of this syndrome, society can promote the creation of an empathetic environment, where the stories of those who live with the Long Cavid are heard and recognized.
The journey of these patients, as reported by Gaëlle Fonseca, must serve as an awakening for collective responsibility to face this new dimension of the health crisis. The invisibility of the long covid should not become a standard; It is time to act so that each voice is heard, each pain recognized, because behind each statistic hides a human history and a future to build.