Prognosis

Debilitating Covid-19 Effects and Economic Costs May Linger for Years

  • Virus causes physical, cognitive and psychological impairment
  • Debilitating post-Covid effects may persist for weeks to years

Daniela Alves lies on her front to reduce shortness of breath as she FaceTimes her family.

Source: Daniela Alves
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Before Daniela Alves caught Covid-19 in March, the 31-year-old Londoner regularly worked overtime to accelerate her career as a mobile app designer. Now, she struggles with client meetings, and says persistent fatigue has halved her productivity.

“I was a beast before, but now things are different,” Alves says over Zoom, pausing frequently to catch her breath or cough. “I can’t physically do it, and I’m approaching life differently.”