Many people are more than aware of the devastating loss of loved ones to the Covid pandemic, with their bereaved family members having to deal with traumatic grief. However, a topic that is seemingly lesser known and discussed is Long Covid and the long-lasting effects it has on those still with us - although they are left to grieve the lives they once lived.

This week in the Module 2 evidential hearings, evidence was heard from Professor Chris Brightling and Dr Rachael Evans, who are both experts on Long Covid. The witnesses were discussed on this week's episode of The Covid Inquiry Podcast, where Sammie McFarland, a member of Long Covid For Kids, reflected on what was heard and shared her own experiences.

Speaking to Nicola Brook and Lorelei King, Sammie shared how she and her daughter have both been suffering from the effects of Long Covid since March 2020.

She explained: "I've not been able to work since. I had my own business before and was very strong, fit and healthy. And my daughter missed nearly two years of education. And although she is back in education part-time now, she is still living with all of the symptoms and living a life with new disability."

As heard in court, experts predicted that there could be long-term effects from Covid back in 2020. Sammie claims that they "spent years" trying to help the government "understand the condition".

She said: "We could not have worked any harder on sharing our experiences to try and help the wider public understand the effects of Long Covid, or the ministers. It just feels like there's so much preventable disability and disease now that had it have been taken seriously and had people acted on the evidence that was there. It's completely unnecessary and it makes me really angry and really sad."

"To be constantly be told 'this doesn't effect children and this isn't a problem' has impacted their mental health and experiences significantly because they weren't believed. I just can't imagine any other situation where a sick child would be so medically gaslit and ignored."

She added: "We're not any further forward for protecting children than we were in 2020. And that breaks my heart because it is preventable."

At the opening of Module 2 an impact film was shown where two families spoke about the devastating effects of Long Covid on their children. 

Sammie said: "It was a really powerful film, I think. It really touched a lot of our members."

Sammie hopes that the Inquiry will make recommendations "at the earliest possible opportunity, so that other children are protected".

 

What is the aim of the Covid Inquiry Podcast?

In the words of Nicola Brook, the podcast is about "giving real, honest and raw reflections on what evidence is being heard that week."

The Covid Inquiry Podcast will invite a number of guests on each week including members of other Core Participant groups and bereaved family members, who can share various perspectives of the Covid Inquiry, while giving them a chance to have their voices heard.

Get involved with the podcast

If you would like to get involved with the podcast, please email the team at covidinquiry@broudiejacksoncanter.co.uk

To listen to this episode and previous episodes, please check out our YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify pages.