The OECD just published a 42 country Long COVID report projecting $135 billion a year in losses through 2035.
It independently validates the conclusion of the Federal Long COVID ROI Model v30: productivity and workforce losses dominate the burden.

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The crisis in numbers Congress cannot keep ignoring. 19.4M Americans with Long COVID. 5.8M US kids with neurological sequelae. Each reinfection: plus 117 percent death risk, plus 232 percent hospitalization risk. 158 billion dollars in annual GDP erosion.

https://www.wailofatale.org

News of the week:
eomail6.com/web-version

New in The Lancet: Long COVID raises cardiovascular risk even in people never hospitalized. Arrhythmias. Heart failure. Coronary artery disease. Among 1.2 million people studied. This is a community health crisis, not a post-ICU story. 🧵

A randomized trial of 399 adults with Long COVID fatigue found fluvoxamine significantly reduced fatigue and improved quality of life over 60–90 days, while metformin showed no benefit.

Recommendations: prioritize larger, longer trials and expand access to evidence-based Long COVID care.

Head on over to our YouTube channel (https://choto.co/nvqrpm2o - link in bio) to check out the newest part of our chat with Plum Stone, where we dive into the challenges families with high-risk members face when trying to access vital places like schools and healthcare facilities.

Stay motivated with our "Tomorrow Needs You" shirt – every purchase supports Wail of a Tale. Grab yours in various styles, including pullover hoodies, tank tops, and women's specific fits. Wear your purpose and inspire others to keep pushing forward. Available at https://choto.co/hczxigsc

A study with over 40,000 patients found SARS-CoV-2 can cause lasting changes to our immune system. Key immune cells remain lower even >20 months. Older adults, men, and those with heart issues impacted longer. Long-term monitoring & personalized care are crucial. 🔗: https://choto.co/udqxloj2

By donating to Wail of a Tale through Tix for Good, you could win a 5-night stay at a Disney resort for up to 5 people! Picture yourself enjoying the happiest place on Earth while making a difference! Donate now and let’s make dreams come true! https://choto.co/kygi5la7

On Long COVID Awareness Day, we released the Federal Long COVID ROI Model. Here is what the data says, and who it is really about.

Read the full post at our substack: https://wailofatale.substack.com/

Today is Long COVID Awareness Day. Wail of a Tale Productions is releasing the Federal Long COVID ROI Model v27a: a dual-frame benefit-cost analysis showing a 13.1x federal return and 24.0x social welfare return on a $5.19B investment. 92 citations. Senate-ready. Link below.

Today, we stand together for Long COVID Awareness Day. Let’s amplify the voices of those affected and acknowledge their journey. Every heartbeat counts – your experience matters! Together, we can raise awareness and support. #LongCovidHeartbeats

A recent review of studies from 2020 to 2025 shows that while some children bounce back over time, others struggle with ongoing symptoms for more than a year, facing serious challenges. Read what they recommend here: https://choto.co/7bkzhjvb

Want to win 4 tickets to a World Cup game? Donate to Wail of a Tale for a chance! Every donation gets you an entry, so the more you give, the better your odds! Plus, support a great cause! Learn more here:(https://choto.co/ggvdlalc Don't miss out! #DonateToWin #WorldCupMagic

We went to Washington. Read all about what we told them when founder Marty Pack sat down with health advisors to Senator Tim Kaine and Senator Angela Alsobrooks in our latest substack update! https://choto.co/ccnn7xxq

A recent study from Open Forum Infectious Diseases journal sheds light on the realities of Long COVID.
Key Insights:
Only 5% report full recovery
59% have not experienced a single symptom-free day
59% reporting negative effects to mental health
61% say their work has been adversely impacted.

Recent shows COVID-19 independently worsens ischemic stroke outcomes: ↑ pneumonia (OR 10.88), ↑ cognitive impairment (OR 5.81), ↑ in-hospital mortality (OR 2.98), and longer LOS (5 vs 3 days). Strong signal for intensified monitoring.
#Stroke #COVID19 #ClinicalEpidemiology #HealthOutcomes

Make a regular donation to Wail of a Tale and receive entries for a chance to win a five night stay at their choice of select Disney destinations, with VIP accommodations for up to five guests.
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France tracked 28M adults for 4 years.
Vaccinated people: 25% lower death risk from ANY cause.
Not a small trial. Not short-term. National health data over 45 months.
COVID vax = 74% lower COVID death + broad health protection.
Lens to Law: https://wailofatale.org/

JAMA: Vaccinated pregnant people with COVID had:
62% lower hospitalization
90% lower ICU admission
Up to 36% fewer preterm births
Protection held for Delta & Omicron.
Preterm birth = higher Long COVID risk for kids.
Prevention starts in pregnancy.
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📬 Our latest newsletter is out: Founder Marty Pack on identity & democracy, welcoming sociologist Deborah Lupton to our Advisory Board, plus sharp insights on health, culture & storytelling.

Read: https://shorturl.at/PSYTx

Subscribe: https://wailofataleproductions.eo.page/7qvfn

Source: Koumans et al., JAMA Internal Medicine, Jan 2026
doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.7179

CDC: 100,800 COVID deaths in 2023-2024.
Same as 2022-2023 despite 24% fewer cases.
33M infections annually 879K hospitalizations 100K deaths
65+ = 81% of deaths
Endemic COVID = 100K dead + millions with Long COVID every year.
Evidence exists. Policy doesn't.
Lens to Law: https://wailofatale.org/

🌍⚽ YOUR CHANCE TO WITNESS SOCCER HISTORY ⚽🌍

Support our nonprofit, enter for your chance at soccer glory, and get ready for an unforgettable experience.
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JAMA Pediatr
Published Online: January 5, 2026
doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2025.5485

JAMA Pediatrics study: Food insecurity = 2.39x higher child Long COVID odds.
4,584 kids across 52 sites.
Lens to Law: https://wailofatale.org/

jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/...

If you want to see how "Lens to Law" methodology actually operates, how someone with political science training and Second City narrative skills approaches building counter infrastructures of care and resistance, this is where that happens. https://substack.com/@wailofatale

Big news: We're partnering with UNC Charlotte's MSW program to train the next generation of policy-driven social workers. Students will learn our "Lens to Law" methodology—turning documentary evidence into legislative change. 🎓

KFF report: Black, Hispanic & AIAN communities fare worse across 64 health measures.
We're dismantling equity infrastructure while evidence screams for more.
Lens to Law: https://wailofatale.org/