In the fall of 2020, the world was staggering under the attack of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In the United States, more than 4 million cases were reported in November, more than double the number in October. Hospitals were overwhelmed. On the Thursday before Thanksgiving, 1,962 people died.
Now, despite more than 1 million deaths in the United States and more than 6 million worldwide, it’s almost easy to forget that the pandemic’s assault continues. That is, until you hear Belinda Hankins’ story.
Hankins has been diagnosed with long COVID, a collection of symptoms that can include crushing fatigue, brain fog, pain and dizziness and that may affect 1 in 5 people infected with SARS-CoV-2, according to one conservative estimate.