University of Waterloo students raise awareness about Long COVID

A group is taking steps to make the community aware of a condition called Long COVID. CTV’s Jeff Pickel explains.

Although COVID-19 no longer makes daily headlines, some are on a mission to spread awareness about the impact the virus is still having on the community.

The University of Waterloo hosted a silent walk on Thursday to raise awareness about the condition known as Long COVID – when the impact of an infection is still being experienced months after the fact.

Those who have or had Long COVID, and supporters of loved ones with it, were among those on hand.

Braiden Sunn said it was tough for him to figure out why he felt so tired all the time last year.

“I originally went to a sleep specialist and got tested for narcolepsy,” Sunn said.

He said it took months to determine it was Long COVID.

“I was bedridden for much of this summer months where I’d basically get up for the day, take a shower, try to make some breakfast for myself, and that was basically my energy envelope,” he said.

He said he is finally feeling better after a summer where he could barely get out of bed.

“She can get up and move around for about six minutes, and then she has to sit down, lie down,” said Margret Leask, who has a daughter with Long COVID.

“Some of the more common symptoms have to relate to, chronic fatigue, or tiredness or brain fog,” said Ryan Tennant, a PhD candidate who is studying the impacts of Long Covid.

He said it is important people are educated about the illness.

“I think what a lot of people maybe don’t realize is that every time you get an a COVID infection, it’s a cumulative risk. So your risk of getting long COVID after your second infection is greater than after your first and so on,” Tennant said.

He said prevention should be top of mind.

“We have the tools available now to us, like really good quality respirator masks that can filter airborne viruses, and tools like opening windows and, running air cleaners to improve ventilation. That can also reduce the risk,” he said.

Those who live with the illness, continue to fight it.

“It’s not like most diseases where its like a gradual timeline in terms of your improvement, its definitely like a long term battle you have to always combat,” Sunn said.