Austin’s Long Covid Awareness Day was organized by Long Covid Collective in partnership with Clear the Air ATX. LCC is a local 501c3 nonprofit building programming, advocacy, & support for people living with Long Covid. Glad to see Austin included in the global picture. Thank you for the spotlight!
We showed up, and now it’s part of the global record.
This piece captures what Long Covid Awareness Day looked like here and around the world.
Square graphic with a lavender blue background. Brown text in the center reads: “The irony of Long Covid Awareness Day is that the people raising awareness are the ones who will be down for days afterward.” In the lower left corner, an illustration shows a person lying face down on a pillow surrounded by scattered papers, suggesting exhaustion. In the lower right corner is the Long Covid Collective logo in brown with the letters “LC.” Along the bottom of the graphic is the website: www.longcovidcollective.org.
Anyone else wiped out from raising awareness?
#longcovidawarenessday #longcovidawareness #chronicillness
Graphic with teal border and Long COVID ribbon. Text reads: “March is Long Covid Awareness Month. Facts about Long Covid we wish were not true: #7. We wish it weren’t true that doctors often dismiss Long Covid as anxiety or deconditioning. Patients are told it’s ‘all in their heads’ while their bodies struggle to regulate heart rate, temperature, and energy. The gaslighting delays care and deepens the suffering.” A small doctor illustration appears on the left. Website at bottom: longcovidcollective.org.
Graphic with teal border and Long COVID ribbon. Text reads: “March is Long Covid Awareness Month. Facts about Long Covid we wish were not true: #8. We wish it weren’t true that normal tests don’t mean normal health. Blood work comes back ‘fine.’ MRIs look ‘clean.’ But you can’t get out of bed. Your heart races when you stand. You can’t find words mid-sentence. Normal tests don’t capture the reality of living with Long Covid.” Medical test illustration labeled “normal” appears on the left. Website at bottom: longcovidcollective.org.
Graphic with teal border and Long COVID ribbon. Text reads: “March is Long Covid Awareness Month. Facts about Long Covid we wish were not true: #9. We wish it weren’t true that there are still no approved treatments. Millions have been sick for years. Millions more join them every month. Yet safe, effective treatments remain out of reach. Research is underfunded. Options are limited. Patients are left to experiment on their own.” Pill bottle illustration appears on the left. Website at bottom: longcovidcollective.org.
Continuing our March Monday series of facts about Long Covid we wish were not true.
March is Long Covid Awareness Month. #longcovid #chronicillness
They were willing to do it, but they don’t have the ability to light up in teal. Their system only has basic colors.
Yesterday, the City of Austin officially proclaimed March 15 as Long Covid Awareness Day. This recognition is meaningful to the members of our organization and to all chronic illness survivors.
Listening to our Chair, Rachel Madison, speaking was a proud moment. 🩵
Graphic announcing that the City of Austin proclaims Long Covid Awareness Day. The proclamation will take place Thursday, March 12 at 9:00 AM CST. The graphic encourages people to wear teal to show support and notes that teal ribbon pins will be available. It also says the event can be watched live through a link on the Long Covid Collective calendar. Logos for Long Covid Collective and Clear the Air ATX appear at the bottom.
The City of Austin will officially proclaim Long Covid Awareness Day on March 12th!
Join us at 9:00 AM at City Hall or watch live through the link on the LCC calendar. Wear teal to show support. Teal ribbon pins will be available.
Presented with our partners at Clear the Air ATX.
Graphic for Long Covid Awareness Month titled “Facts about Long Covid we wish were not true: #4.” The text states that being in peak physical condition does not protect someone from Long Covid. It explainsthat professional runners, collegiate swimmers, and other athletes have been sidelined, and that formerly active people may experience post-exertional malaise, where even a short walk can trigger a debilitating crash. A teal and gray Long Covid awareness ribbon appears at the top, and a silhouette of a volleyball player appears on the left. The website longcovidcollective.org appears at the bottom.
Graphic for Long Covid Awareness Month titled “Facts about Long Covid we wish were not true: #5.” The text explains that invisible illness is often treated like an imaginary one. It notes that someone can appear healthy while experiencing severe symptoms such as crushing fatigue, neuroinflammation, and heart rate instability that are not visible from the outside but are real and disabling. A teal and gray Long Covid awareness ribbon appears at the top and theater masks appear on the left. The website longcovidcollective.org appears at the bottom.
Graphic for Long Covid Awareness Month titled “Facts about Long Covid we wish were not true: #6.” The text explains that past COVID infections do not protect someone from Long Covid. Each new infection carries a risk of developing Long Covid for the first time or worsening existing symptoms. Dice appear on the left to represent risk. A teal and gray Long Covid awareness ribbon appears at the top and the website longcovidcollective.org appears at the bottom.
More facts about Long Covid we wish were not true.
March is Long Covid Awareness Month. Learn more at longcovidcollective.org
#longcovidawareness
Event poster with a soft beige background. Text reads: “Join us at City Hall for Austin’s First Long Covid Awareness Day Proclamation.” Below are the event details: Thursday, March 12, 9:00 AM, Media Room, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas. A small badge in the corner says “Join Us.” At the bottom the text reads “Presented by Long Covid Collective + Clean the Air ATX” with both organization logos and a teal awareness ribbon symbol.
The City Austin will proclaim Long Covid Awareness Day on March 12 at City Hall.
Join us as this moment is recognized. Wear teal to show support. We will have teal ribbons for anyone who wants one.
Presented by Long Covid Collective + Clean the Air ATX
Graphic for Long Covid Awareness Month. At the top is a teal and gray ribbon labeled Long Covid and the text “March is Long Covid Awareness Month.” The main heading reads “Things I Wish I Had Known Before Getting Long Covid #1.” The graphic states: “I wish I’d known that ‘pushing through’ fatigue could permanently disable me.” Below it explains that our culture teaches hard work pays off and rest is weakness, but with Long Covid pushing through does not lead to recovery and can lead to months or years of setback. The Long Covid Collective website appears at the bottom.
“Pushing through” fatigue can permanently disable you.
Many of us were taught to work harder when we feel tired. With Long Covid, that instinct can make the illness worse. Pushing through does not lead to recovery. It can lead to months or years of setback.
March is Long Covid Awareness Month.
Graphic with teal border and Long COVID awareness ribbon. Text reads: “March is Long Covid Awareness Month. Facts about Long Covid we wish were not true: #1. We wish it weren’t true that you don’t have to be ‘high-risk’ to get it. A marathon runner, a teenager, your healthy colleague. Long COVID doesn’t discriminate based on your pre-COVID health or fitness.” A silhouette of a runner appears on the left. Website listed: www.longcovidcollective.org.
Graphic with teal border and Long COVID awareness ribbon. Text reads: “Facts about Long Covid we wish were not true: #2. We wish it weren’t true that even a mild infection can lead to severe long-term illness. You can have a few days of cold-like symptoms and then months or years of crushing fatigue, brain fog, and dysautonomia. Severity of the acute illness does not predict likelihood of Long Covid.” A cartoon virus appears on the left. Website listed: www.longcovidcollective.org.
Graphic with teal border and Long COVID awareness ribbon. Text reads: “Facts about Long Covid we wish were not true: #3. We wish it weren’t true that pushing through can make you permanently disabled. With many illnesses, rest helps and pushing is brave. With Long COVID, pushing through symptoms can trigger permanent setbacks. Post-exertional malaise (PEM) is real: one good day of overdoing it can leave you bedbound for weeks or permanently disabled.” A wilted plant appears on the left. Website listed: www.longcovidcollective.org.
March is Long COVID Awareness Month.
Every Monday, we’re sharing 3 facts about Long COVID we wish weren’t true.
Follow along each Monday in March.
#longcovid #chronicillness #mecfs #longcovidawareness
Light lavender-blue background. Brown text reads “Do you want a chronic illness pen pal?” A small illustration of bundled postcards sits in the lower left corner. The Long Covid Collective logo appears in the lower right.
Lavender-blue background with centered brown text explaining a low-pressure, mail-based pen pal program for people living with chronic illness. Text includes “No deadlines. One letter can be enough.” Postcard illustration bottom left, Long Covid Collective logo bottom right.
Lavender-blue background with the heading “What this is / what it’s not” followed by a short bullet list: mail-based not email, letters do not have to be handwritten, no schedules, no obligations, open to chronic illness not diagnosis-specific. Postcard illustration bottom left, Long Covid Collective logo bottom right.
Lavender-blue background with the heading “How to join” and bullet points noting it is run by LCC, open to LCC members, and that details and sign-up are available via the link in bio. Postcard illustration bottom left, Long Covid Collective logo bottom right.
Do you want a chronic illness Pen Pal? We started a pen pal program we are so excited about!
The program is international and open to anyone with a chronic illness.
Finally you can get mail that isn’t a medical invoice!
Sign up on our website. 💙(www.longcovidcollective.org)
I’m so sorry to hear that! No need for apologies - we get it! Please expect to hear from Virginia Hernandez from our team soon. We are excited about connecting with you! ❤️
It’s beautiful!!
Thank you for making me smile in such a rotten moment.
New ME/CFS genetics study found 250+ genes and multiple subtypes. Science is finally catching up to the lived reality: this illness isn’t one thing. It never was.
#longcovid #mecfs
A tired-looking Elf on the Shelf doll in a red outfit sits slumped on a beige knitted blanket, leaning against a pillow with a simple black stitched pattern. The elf’s expression looks worn out and overwhelmed. Above the image are the words Chronic Elf on a Shelf. Below the image, text reads He wrapped one present and asked for medical leave. The Long Covid Collective logo appears in the bottom right corner.
The Chronic Elf tried to be festive. His body said try again next year. Anyone relate?
#longcovid #chronichumor #mecfs
Beige background with an orange bow at the top and a cartoon turkey peeking from the bottom left. Brown text reads “LCC’s Unhelpful & Slightly Unhinged Guide to Surviving Thanksgiving.” Long Covid Collective logo in the bottom right.
Beige background with brown text listing humorous Thanksgiving coping suggestions. Small cartoon of two geese holding pumpkins at the bottom left. Long Covid Collective logo in the bottom right.
Beige background with brown text listing more humorous suggestions. Small cartoon of a corn character holding a drink at the bottom left. Long Covid Collective logo in the bottom right.
Beige background with brown text listing additional humorous suggestions. Small cartoon of an orange pumpkin and red maple leaf holding hands at the bottom left. Long Covid Collective logo in the bottom right.
Navigating Thanksgiving with a chronic illness can be a challenge. Here’s some snark to ease the pain! Two more pages are on our other accounts. Hope everyone has a good week! #longcovid
This is how I found it somewhere else. It wasn’t intentional. So sorry!
A dark navy graphic with bright pink and white text reading: ‘GOOD NEWS: Germany has announced a landmark National Decade for Post-Infectious Disease, investing €500 million over ten years to accelerate ME/CFS and Long Covid research. A long-overdue recognition and a real step toward answers, treatments, and justice. Health Minister Lauterbach describes it as one of the biggest health policy challenges of the 21st century. They aim to establish cures by the 2030s.’
Here’s some encouraging news for our community: in Germany, the government has launched a ‘National Decade Against Post-Infectious Diseases’ (2026-2036), pledging about €500 million of funding to study post-viral illnesses including Long COVID and ME/CFS.
Flyer for the Long Covid Collective’s Halloween Happy Hour event. The top shows three illustrated contests: a pumpkin with glasses labeled “Pumpkin Contest,” a brown dog in a skeleton costume labeled “Pet Costume Contest,” and a child in a purple superhero outfit labeled “Live Costume Contest.” The large central text reads, “Are you ready for Halloween Happy Hour tonight?” in warm orange and brown tones. Below, it says, “Send your pumpkin & pet pics by noon today!” followed by “Wednesday 10.29.25 • 6:00 PM • Zoom Link in Bio.” The bottom left corner features a small ghost holding a pumpkin bucket, and the bottom right displays the Long Covid Collective logo in lavender blue. The background is light beige.
See you tonight for LCC’s spooky Happy Hour! 👻
#longcovid
Graphic titled “Life with POTS” on a beige background with brown text and the Long Covid Collective logo in the bottom right corner. The text reads: “Am I able to take a shower today? If yes, am I able to wash my hair without fainting? Should I do dishes or a load of laundry? But if I shower, will I be able to do the dishes or laundry? I will eat first and then decide. …Well, eating wrecked me and now I can’t do anything.”
If you know, you know. 😏
#longcovid #pots #potsawareness
Two photos side by side compare strength. The top shows Rocky running up the steps surrounded by people, labeled ‘Healthy person.’ The bottom shows a person lying exhausted on a couch, labeled ‘Chronically ill.’ The caption reads: Both photos represent strength.”
Top image shows a person running outdoors in cold weather with a dog, captioned ‘We cheer for the ones who push through.’ Bottom image shows a man lying back on a couch wearing headphones, captioned ‘But strength isn’t always about pushing.’”
Text slide with message explaining that people with chronic illness are forced to rest for months or years. It contrasts this with the misconception that rest is easy, describing how rest is necessary for survival and that pushing through will make them worse.
“Text reads: It takes more strength to rest than to run. Nobody cheers for restraint. Long Covid Collective logo in the bottom right corner.”
We celebrate those who push through. But some of us are fighting to not push — because rest is survival.
It takes more strength to stay still than to run.
#longcovid
Promotional graphic for the Long Covid Collective’s Men’s Happy Hour event. The image features two tall glasses of golden beer with foamy tops against a dark brown background. Large white text reads “Cheers O’Clock,” with event details below: “Thursday 10.16.25, 5 PM CST.” Smaller text says, “Just guys & good conversation.” The LCC logo appears in the lower right corner, and “Zoom link in bio” is written at the bottom in yellow.
LCC Men’s Happy Hour tomorrow, Thursday, October 16th at 5:00 CST. No agenda - just a chance for the guys to talk. Zoom link is on the website calendar. #longcovid
Fingers crossed!!!
Graphic with the heading “Tired & Wired” and two tired cartoon eyes below. Text reads: “My body: exhausted. Also my body: let’s overthink everything until sunrise.” The Long Covid Collective logo appears in the bottom corner.
Graphic with the heading “Tired & Wired” and two tired cartoon eyes below. Text reads: “The sequel to fight or flight. Now streaming every night around 3 AM.” The Long Covid Collective logo appears in the bottom corner.
Graphic with the heading “Tired & Wired” and two tired cartoon eyes below. Text reads: “Warning: side effects include staring at the ceiling, random life reflections, completing all The NY Times games by 3:00 AM, doom scrolling, near total insanity from RLS, and a sudden craving for snacks that you don’t actually have in the house.” The Long Covid Collective logo appears in the bottom corner.
Tired and wired — the unofficial nighttime routine for half the chronic illness community. 💤
Which symptom keeps you up at 3 AM?
#longcovid #me/cfs
Is this from 2023?
Nearly 10,000 studies on Long COVID since 2020—yet many gaps remain.
Most come from the U.S., China, and U.K., focused on symptoms and rehab. Missing: kids, long-term data, and treatment trials. Time for global, inclusive research.
Also reminder that these findings are matching what is found in adults. The biggest names in Covid epidemiology have been telling us for years that the risk of long COVID accumulates, we are more likely to experience it after each subsequent infection www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/lon...
Scientists in Japan found measurable brain changes in people with Long Covid who experience brain fog — real biological proof behind a symptom many live with daily.
Changes in glutamate and AMPA receptor activity were seen on scans, offering new clues for diagnosis and treatment.
