COVID-19 is - #StillHere.

Full statement

People with Long COVID are - #StillHere.

I get it. Society wants to move on from the Covid pandemic. I do too. But, if we ignore COVID-19 and its long-term effects, we do so at our own peril.

Right now, Wales is facing a PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.

"What public health crisis?", you might ask.

Although we don't monitor or test for COVID-19 as we used to, the signs are there.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Economic inactivity in the Wales workforce due to long-term sickness has increased by 25%. (ONS, April 2026)
• School absenteeism has doubled to 12% since 2019 and hasn't recovered to pre-pandemic levels. (GOV.WALES, August 2024)
• Sickness absence in NHS Wales (our largest employer) is 6.3%. This equates to 1 in 15 NHS workers off sick at any point in time. This is surely adding to the significant pressures facing the NHS. (Health Education and Improvement Wales, March 2025)
• Life expectancy in Wales has dropped significantly and is the worst of all UK nations. (ONS, February 2026)
• The Department for Work & Pensions forecast that welfare spending in the UK will rise to £364 billion compared to £192 billion in 2020. They say this is 'unsustainable'. (DWP, April 2025)

In 2023, the Office for National Statistics reported there were 1.9 million in the UK with Long COVID (including 93,000 in Wales). This is based on self-reporting of symptoms so this is likely to be an under-estimate. There are no further plans to monitor numbers although we suspect this number is rising as we speak.

Severity can vary but it can have a devastating impact on the lives of, not only those who live with it, but the loved ones forced to care for them. Since the COVID outbreak in 2020, there are STILL no diagnostic tests, no approved treatments and no guarantee of a full recovery.

Among the millions affected are many key workers including doctors, nurses and teachers who sacrificed so much on the front line for our benefit only to find themselves struggling with little to no help. With the lack of a diagnostic test, they cannot access financial benefits or their pensions. Many have lost their jobs and, as a result, have lost their homes or their partners. Sadly, some have taken their own lives.

THEY HELPED US. WHO'S HELPING THEM?

Long COVID can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, health status, vaccinations or prior exposure to COVID. Those currently living with Long COVID live in fear of subsequent infections that may cause them to relapse.

"Could it be caused by the vaccines?", I hear you ask. Possibly. There is no meaningful research to discount this possibility. But, of the research carried out so far, we KNOW that repeat COVID infections have been linked with heart attacks, strokes and aggressive cancers. Even in young, seemingly healthy people.

SO WHAT CAN WE DO?

Let me be clear. We are not asking to go back into lockdowns (unless it's absolutely necessary) but there are protections we can put in place. These revolve around:

• Air filtration and ventilation in public spaces (notably healthcare and schools).
• Dedicated research to understand the health implications of COVID-19 with a view to developing tests and treatments.
• Public Health messaging and educating healthcare professionals on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic illnesses.
• Re-instate surveillance of the health impacts of COVID-19 and other airborne pathogens such as norovirus, RSV and influenza.
• Ring-fenced funding for the provision of clinician-led services in each of the health boards including a dedicated service for children and young people.

SO - WHO IS WELSHPOOL?

Born out of a blockbuster film released in the summer of 2024 (Deadpool & Wolverine), he went viral and decided to use his new found notoriety to raise awareness of Long Covid. After all, there are thousands in Wales affected by Long COVID and other infection associated chronic conditions (like ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia). Yet they're invisible. They have no voice because they're too ill to vouch for themselves.

And let's face it. COVID doesn't win votes. And COVID doesn't sell newspapers anymore. However....

Er gwaetha pawb a phopeth, ry'n ni yma o hyd.

In spite of everyone and everything, we are #StillHere.