The Sick Times

@thesicktimes.org

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Award-winning nonprofit news site chronicling the #LongCOVID crisis. Founded by @BetsyLadyzhets.bsky.social & @MilesWGriffis.bsky.social Website: thesicktimes.org Newsletter: thesicktimes.org/newsletter Donate: the-sick-times.fundjournalism.org

Read this week’s full COVID-19 trends report at the link in our bio. Graphic from The Sick Times sharing the latest COVID-19 trends for July 21, 2026. The graphic presents trends for three metrics: WastewaterSCAN category for SARS-CoV-2, which is "high" (represented with an orange color box) and significantly increasing (represented with a directly up arrow); CDC wastewater viral activity level for SARS-Cov-2, which is "very low*" (lighter yellow) and stable (side to side arrow); and CDC COVID-19 test positivity, which is low (light yellow) and significantly increasing (directly up arrow). Text below these metrics reads: "*CDC wastewater viral activity levels are calculated based on measurements in the last two years only. They do not account for the lower spread that could be possible with more widespread precautions."
A digital illustration shows a woman lying on a bed, an eye mask covering the top half of her face. She is wearing a tank top and has short, tightly curled hair. The illustration is all in grayscale and has a somber air. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Abandoned by our governments, people with severe ME and Long COVID are supported by severely ill peers. Mari, a Black Canadian woman with severe myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), is supported by fellow people with ME in the absence of institutional care. By Whitney Fox.”
Read Miles W. Griffis’ Long COVID research updates. thesicktimes.org And sign up for our newsletter to get Miles’ weekly research updates delivered directly to your inbox! thesicktimes.org/newsletter
A scientific illustration shows a neuron synapse with dopamine, small appearing molecules. The synspases are bright purple and blue, while the dopamine appear yellow and light blue. The illustration is contrasted with a jet black background. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Long COVID research updates. COVID-19 can cause long-term eye disorders, according to a cross sectional study. A new study found that people with Long COVID may have dopamine system damage in their brains. A U.K. clinical trial found some repurposed drugs were not effective in treating Long COVID fatigue.”
A graphic shows three vials of peptides on a graph paper and jet black background. The glass vials have a sticker on them that says, "RESEARCH PURPOSE ONLY: NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION". The text reads, “The Sick Times. Experimental peptides are being advertised for Long COVID. But the evidence is trailing behind. By by Jamie Ducharme.”
ID: A video shows Miles Griffis, a white, bearded man in his early 30s. He wears wire glasses, a black mask, and a white t shirt. Images of the fundraiser appear throughout the video, as well as images and memes, including a $1 bill with George Washington wearing a mask.
Thermometer graphic in which The Sick Times' fundraising goal is represented by a row of pixelated hearts, as you might see in an old-school video game. The hearts are all black outlines, and the first five are filled in with red. Text above the hearts reads: "The Sick Times - Goal: 200 new monthly supporters." Underneath the hearts, there is a cartoon drawing of a field with flowers."
ID: Graphic from The Sick Times sharing the latest COVID-19 trends for July 14, 2026. The graphic presents trends for three metrics: WastewaterSCAN category for SARS-CoV-2, which is "medium" (represented with a darker yellow color) and slightly increasing (represented with a diagonal up arrow); CDC wastewater viral activity level for SARS-Cov-2, which is "very low*" (lighter yellow) and stable (side to side arrow); and CDC COVID-19 test positivity, which is low (light yellow) and significantly increasing (directly up arrow). Text below these metrics reads: "*CDC wastewater viral activity levels are calculated based on measurements in the last two years only. They do not account for the lower spread that could be possible with more widespread precautions."
Graphic featuring clips from old, black and white medical advertisements, one showing a man wearing a lamp on a band around his head and one showing a woman in a surgical mask. The clips are cut with diagrams of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and red, white, and black boxes. The text reads, "Stop telling women their Long COVID is menopause. From friends to medics, women are used to having their health issues dismissed, minimized, or blamed on their hormones."
White and chartreuse text on a solarpunk background reads, "The Sick Times. Fund the future of Long COVID journalism."
D: A woman with brown hair wearing round glasses, a denim top, a khaki The Sick Times baseball cap, and a high-quality respirator. Her photo sits on top of an illustrated forest background. Black text in a chartreuse text box reads, “Our reporting moves the needle on the Long COVID conversation, and we couldn’t do this work without supporters of The Sick Times. Melanie Marich, Podcast Producer
An autopsy study found persistent SARS-CoV-2 virus in the hearts of some people who had died after having COVID-19. A part of the National Institute of Health’s RECOVER program, the researchers shared their unpublished results in a poster at a pathology conference this spring. The study included 74 participants who had expedited autopsies that included samples of blood and cardiac tissue. Of 11 participants who had SARS-CoV-2 genetic material, nine had reported Long COVID symptoms before their deaths. A July RECOVER press release stated that people with SARS-CoV-2 in their heart were “more likely to have changes in their immune system and heart structure” and that the research adds to growing evidence of different subsets of the disease.
An image of immunohistochemistry (IHC), a type of labratory technique that identifies proteins in a tissue sample shows positive SARS-CoV-2 viruses. The image shows brown and blue dots. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Long COVID research updates. Autopsy study: found persistent SARS-CoV-2 in the hearts of some people who died after having COVID-19. RECOVER shared a summary of where the program’s clinical trials currently stand. Study: found that people with diabetes were more likely to be impacted by Long COVID. A small trial stated that "cognitive rehabilitation" may treat Long COVID, but found no significant improvements in debilitating symptoms..”
Thermometer graphic in which The Sick Times' fundraising goal is represented by a row of pixelated hearts, as you might see in an old-school video game. The hearts are all black outlines, and the first one on the left is filled in with a little bit of red. Text above the hearts reads: "The Sick Times - Goal: 200 new monthly supporters." Underneath the hearts, there is a cartoon drawing of a field with flowers.
White and chartreuse text on a solarpunk background reads, "The Sick Times. Powered by community. Not corporations."
A black background with hot pink text and black and white photos of performers ​Khalil Dennis (Host), ​Taipei Queen, King Lotus Boy, ​Katie Drackert, ​Mondo Millions, ​and Hugo Joan Rose. The text reads, “Making Pride Accessible: Six queer artists reflect on performing with Long COVID. By Heather Hogan.”
ID: A young group of protestors march in the streets of Chicago protesting ICE, while wearing high quality masks. They hold signs that say, "Families belong together", "Chinga tu MAGA", and other messages. The text reads, “The Sick Times. How to protect your community from ICE when you have Long COVID. By Miranda DeNovo.”
Graphic from The Sick Times sharing the latest COVID-19 trends for July 7, 2026. The graphic presents trends for three metrics: WastewaterSCAN category for SARS-CoV-2, which is "medium" (represented with a darker yellow color) and significantly increasing (represented with an up arrow); CDC wastewater viral activity level for SARS-Cov-2, which is "very low*" (lighter yellow) and stable (side to side arrow); and CDC COVID-19 test positivity, which is low (light yellow) and slightly increasing (diagnoal up arrow. Text below these metrics reads: "*CDC wastewater viral activity levels are calculated based on measurements in the last two years only. They do not account for the lower spread that could be possible with more widespread precautions." While national COVID-19 averages remain low in the U.S., signals continue to accumulate that a summer wave is getting underway. It’s starting most prominently in the South, but there are also notable increases and hotspots in other parts of the country. As the latest data are from late June (before the recent holiday), actual COVID-19 levels are likely now higher in these locations.
An illustrated to-do list has an X over the task of "re-train my brain" and a checkmark beside the task of "Help The Sick Times grow their trusted Long COVID reporting."
Black text on a chartreuse background reads, “Exclusive stickers! For two weeks only, if you become a new monthly Sick Times supporter — at any amount — we’ll send you exclusive stickers designed by Grae Salisbury and Dimitrea Tokunbo.” Below are four sticker mock-ups featuring the Sick Times mascot, the caladrius, as well as illustrated masked characters.
A fundraiser tracker with heart containers over a sky over an illustrated field of flowers. The trackers is 32% full.
A fundraiser tracker with heart containers over a sky over an illustrated field of flowers. The trackers is 25% full.
White and chartreuse over a cartoon Solarpunk background rads, “Change the future. Get free stickers.” A chartreuse button reads, “Donate today.”
ID: Text bubbles on cartoon Solarpunk backgrounds. One is green-themed and one is orange-themed. The Comments reads, “I’m a scientist and want to support sharing factual research with the public.” “Thank you for not giving up. Thank you for your critical role in covering this ongoing pandemic.” “Long COVID is barely covered in mainstream media. You cover it from a disability-affirming perspective.” “If the medical establishment won’t care about ME, someone needs to compel them, and your work does that.” “
A photo of a butch lesbian in glasses, a baseball cap, a flannel shirt, and a black respirator. A quote box to her right reads, I have adopted The Sick Times motto as my own personal healthcare mantra: No denial. No minimizing. No gaslighting. We apply it, every day, to the way we cover the Long COVID crisis; and now, I apply it to the way I walk through the world. Heather Hogan Engagement Editor
An image from a Long COVID study shows cerebral "F-FDG PET-CT" scans. Brain images appear in yellow and blue. Figure text from the article: "Representative 18F-FDG PET scan for a patient with Long COVID showing cerebral hypometabolism. The scan above shows the unprocessed 18F-FDG PET scan of the brain, and the below image has been processed to demonstrate the comparison to the age- and gender-matched normal database using the pons to normalize the comparison. This scan shows near global hypometabolism particularly pronounced in the occipital lobes, correlating with the participant’s symptoms of cognitive dysfunction and fatigue with post exertional malaise" The text reads, “The Sick Times. Long COVID research updates. A new imaging study identified metabolic dysfunction in the brains of people with Long COVID who experience PEM. A new study found people who have Long COVID are more likely to exit the workforce. A new clinical trial will assess the HIV drug Maraviroc in combination with the cholesterol drug Atorvastatin.”
White and chartreuse text on a solarpunk background reads, "The Sick Times. No denial. No minimizing. No gaslighting. No AI. No paywalls. No corporate influence.
Black and chartreuse text over a cartoon fam background reads, “The Sick Times. Help us create, grow, and sustain our Long COVID journalism.”
An engineer wearing a high-vis vest and hard hat inputs water quality data into a laptop at a wastewater treatment facility. Yellow safety railing is visible throughout the photo. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Wastewater testing is vital for public health. It needs sustained funding to continue beyond fall 2026. By Betsy Ladyzhets.”
Graphic from The Sick Times sharing the latest COVID-19 trends for June 30, 2026. The graphic presents trends for three metrics: WastewaterSCAN category for SARS-CoV-2, which is "low" (represented with a light yellow color) and slightly increasing (represented with a diagonal up arrow); CDC wastewater viral activity level for SARS-Cov-2, which is "very low*" (light yellow) and stable (side to side arrow); and CDC COVID-19 test positivity, which is low (light yellow) and stable. Text below these metrics reads: "*CDC wastewater viral activity levels are calculated based on measurements in the last two years only. They do not account for the lower spread that could be possible with more widespread precautions."
A screenshot of the June 29 episode of Still Here on the Spotify widget features a pink stylized image of pills with the text, "Still Here" on top of it.
A white woman with brown hair, a purple sleep mask, an orange shirt, and noise-canceling headphones, lies under the covers of her bed. The lights in the room are dim and a wheelchair is parked by the side of the bed. An open laptop and paperwork lie on top of the covers. On the wall behind the bed is a small bulletin board and string of fairy lights. The text reads, “The Sick Times. I worked in homeless services for years. It didn’t help me find accessible housing when I got Long COVID. By Rachel Litchman.”
A black background with hot pink text and black and white photos of performers ​Khalil Dennis (Host), ​Taipei Queen, King Lotus Boy, ​Katie Drackert, ​Mondo Millions, ​and Hugo Joan Rose. The text reads, “Virtual Pride with The Sick Times. June 30. 8 PM ET. 5 PM PT.”
Graphic showing the packaging for the medication Xocova (ensitrelvir). This drug comes in the form of seven 125 milligram oral tablets; patients take three tablets on day one of treatment, then two tablets once a day on days two through five. Text on the packaging also notes that the drug is made in the USA for Shionogi Inc., manufactured in Florham Park, NJ. Behind the medication packaging, the graphic's background is a black and white image of a science lab. The text reads, “The Sick Times. FDA approves COVID-19 antiviral Xocova as PEP. But will it be accessible? By Miles W. Griffis.”
Graphic from The Sick Times sharing the latest COVID-19 trends for June 23, 2026. The graphic presents trends for three metrics: WastewaterSCAN category for SARS-CoV-2, which is "low" (represented with a light yellow color) and stable (represented with a side to side arrow); CDC wastewater viral activity level for SARS-Cov-2, which is "very low*" (light yellow) and significantly decreasing (directly down arrow); and CDC COVID-19 test positivity, which is low (light yellow) and stable. Text below these metrics reads: "*CDC wastewater viral activity levels are calculated based on measurements in the last two years only. They do not account for the lower spread that could be possible with more widespread precautions."
A black and white photo of a woman with severe ME is overlaid on a photo of the UK Houses of Parliament in London. She lays on her back in bed with a neck support and an eye mask that covers most of her face. The text reads, “The Sick Times. The U.K.’s plan for ME has failed us. Members of parliament must step up. By Nick Benton.” T
A hot pink background with black text and black and white photos of performers Khalil, King Lotus Boy, Taipei, and Katie Drackert. The text reads, "Virtual Pride with The Sick Times. June 30. 8 PM ET. 5 PM PT. More performers to be
A group of Chumash paddlers cross the Santa Barbara Channel, paddling toward the sun as it rises above the horizon. The paddlers and their Tomol are in shadow. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Long COVID research updates. Two recent studies have added more evidence that the diabetes drug metformin can reduce the risk of Long COVID. Preprint: Long COVID disproportionately impacts Indigenous people in California. A new article evaluates a diagnostic consensus for MCAS”
A graphic shows three editorial photos of Daphne, two in black and white and one layered on top of them in color. Daphne, a person with Iranian background, has long black hair and wears three bracelets and a nose ring. Daphne poses beside a sheet in the three photos. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Work until you disappear: Long COVID ensnared me in an exploitative health system. By Daphne Sara Safaei.”
A black background with hot pink text and black and white photos of performers Khalil, King Lotus Boy, and Taipei. The text reads, "Virtual Pride with The Sick Times. June 30. 8 PM ET. 5 PM PT. More performers to be announced!"
Read Betsy Ladyzhets’ full COVID-19 trends report. thesicktimes.org Sign up for our newsletter to get our weekly report delivered directly to your inbox! thesicktimes.org/newsletter
Graphic from The Sick Times sharing the latest COVID-19 trends for June 16, 2026. The graphic presents trends for three metrics: WastewaterSCAN category for SARS-CoV-2, which is "low" (represented with a light yellow color) and stable (represented with a side to side arrow); CDC wastewater viral activity level for SARS-Cov-2, which is "very low*" (light yellow) and stable; and CDC COVID-19 test positivity, which is low (light yellow) and stable. Text below these metrics reads: "*CDC wastewater viral activity levels are calculated based on measurements in the last two years only. They do not account for the lower spread that could be possible with more widespread precautions." The U.S.’s low lull in COVID-19 spread continues. Disease levels in wastewater and healthcare data remain very low through early June. While there are possible increases in some places, particularly in the Midwest and South, it’s unclear if a summer wave — which we’ve seen every year since the pandemic began — is starting soon. Meanwhile, World Cup matches in several major cities may pose new disease threats.
An abstract graphic shows a ladder leading through a trap door to a blue sky with strewn white clouds. A backdrop shows black and white SARS-CoV-2 viruses with a microscopic view. The text reads, “The Sick Times. We must free Long COVID and the people living with it from the mind-body trap. By Todd Davenport.”
An up close view of MRI image of a human brain is displayed on a monitor. A computer arrow navigates over the middle of the image. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Long COVID research updates. A new study found more evidence of alterations associated with Alzheimer’s disease in people with Long COVID. NIH recently launched the second phase of their adult observational study within RECOVER. Veteran Affairs Office of Research and Development is leading a potentially harmful behavioral trial of dieting and exercise for Long COVID.”
A large group of Black Lives Matter protesters in New York City. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Every social justice movement is impacted by the Long COVID crisis. By Britta Shoot.”
A person browses in a cozy book store while wearing a high quality mask. The person wears a khaki jacket, backpack, and a black scarf, and looks down at a table display of books. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Indie bookstores promoting masking and COVID-19 consciousness in 2026. By Elisabeth Cook and Lisa Butts.”
The COVID-19 antiviral ensitrelvir (Xocova), was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The oral drug was approved as PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis, meaning it is taken within 72 hours after coming in contact with someone who has COVID-19. A recent clinical trial found the drug reduces symptomatic COVID-19 after an exposure by 67%. The treatment includes a five day course of the drug. “With XOCOVA, people who are exposed to COVID-19 can act early to help protect themselves,” Shionogi Inc.’s CEO said in a press release.
A white rat peeks over a black ledge with a blurred pink background. It has long whiskers and looks at the viewer. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Long COVID research updates. The COVID-19 antiviral ensitrelvir (Xocova), was recently approved by the FDA. A new study reinforced that some people with Long COVID have autoantibodies that attack the body. About one in six people with a documented COVID-19 case developed Long COVID, according to a new study. CoRE is conducting a remote blood draw for people who were in the U.S. clinical trial on Vyvgart for Long COVID.” The following slides feature adapted versions of the text in this caption.
A stylized photo of soup with the Still Here logo on top
An abstract collage graphic shows a justice scale in an orange filter. Other photos show a person in an MRI machine and a close up of a virus spike protein in black and white. Blue and red triangles are laid over the graphic. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Research ethics boards need urgent training on Long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis. Despite being set up to protect vulnerable participants, these boards are ill-equipped to ensure research is safe, especially regarding post-exertional malaise (PEM). By Simon Spichak.”
Graphic from The Sick Times sharing the latest COVID-19 trends for June 2, 2026. The graphic presents trends for three metrics: WastewaterSCAN category for SARS-CoV-2, which is "low" (represented with a light yellow color) and significantly decreasing (represented with a directly down arrow); CDC wastewater viral activity level for SARS-Cov-2, which is "very low*" (lighter yellow) and stable (represented with a side to side arrow); and CDC COVID-19 test positivity, which is low (lighter yellow) and stable. Text below these metrics reads: "*CDC wastewater viral activity levels are calculated based on measurements in the last two years only. They do not account for the lower spread that could be possible with more widespread precautions."
Over an orange background, there is large white text that reads “Still Here” in the center of the image, and in smaller text in the top-right reads “The Sick Times” in a darker color. Behind all of that is an image of a National Institute of Health building.
A pair of hands wearing latex gloves hold a vial of blood. In the background is a rack of blood vials with multi-colored tops. The text reads, "The Sick Times. PolyBio’s Spring 2026 symposium: Advancing Long COVID biomarkers and treatments. By Betsy Ladyzhets and Miles W. Griffis."
A view of purple cells under a microscope. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Long COVID research updates. A new preprint linked Long COVID symptom severity with higher DNA levels of the herpesvirus HHV6. A Swedish advocacy group published a resource, ‘Designing Studies for Patients with PEM.’ The University of California, San Francisco is recruiting for an ME observational study.”
A black and white photograph of the top of the Berliner tower over a backdrop of blue, black, and turquoise dots of a virus under a microscope. The text reads, “The Sick Times. International ME/CFS Conference roundup: Setbacks and new hopes for therapeutic research. At the Berlin event, researchers presented initial results of new clinical trials. All of the controlled trials presented for the first time at the conference failed to meet goals. By Martin Rücker.” The following slides feature quotes from the story at The Sick Times.
Graphic from The Sick Times sharing the latest COVID-19 trends for May 26, 2026. The graphic presents trends for three metrics: WastewaterSCAN category for SARS-CoV-2, which is “low” (represented with a light yellow color) and stable (represented with a side to side arrow); CDC wastewater viral activity level for SARS-Cov-2, which is “very low*” (lighter yellow) and stable; and CDC COVID-19 test positivity, which is low (lighter yellow) and stable. Text below these metrics reads: “*CDC wastewater viral activity levels are calculated based on measurements in the last two years only. They do not account for the lower spread that could be possible with more widespread precautions.”
A graphic shows a blister pack of ensitrelvir pills in a "blister" pack. The packing marks the round, blue pills as 125 mg each. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Long COVID research updates. The antiviral ensitrelvir was found to prevent COVID-19 in people exposed to COVID-positive individuals. The U.K. government recently announced £4.75 million in funding for a genomics study of ME. A new phase 2 trial studying a compound for Long COVID related tinnitus was recently announced.”
A collage of press clippings and images related to the Long Covid Moonshot bill and advocacy around it, including including images of Bernie Sanders, Ziyad Al-Aly, and advocates in blue “Moonshot” shirts and masks after a senate hearing. The text reads, “The Sick Times. A toolkit for new advocates: What I learned from the Long COVID Moonshot campaign. By Lisa Kava.”
A screencapture of the Spotify widget playing the Still Here podcast with a list of other podcast platforms
A black and white portrait of immunologist Carmen Scheibenbogen (left), a white woman with shoulder-length dark blonde hair, square-frame black glasses and a white lab coat; and pharmacologist Klaus Wirth (right), a white man with gray hair, black square-frame glasses, and a black suit jacket over a white shirt. Behind them is an abstract backdrop with a cell-like pattern in pink, blue, and cream. The text reads, “The Sick Times. Breaking the vicious cycle: How two German scientists seek to solve ME. By Martin Rücker.”