Got Covid but working through it? That’s nothing to boast about | Arwa Mahdawi

At the beginning of the year, I thought I was super. I didn't contract Covid, but everyone I knew did. I think I'm immune. Studies should be done on me by scientists. My household got Covid in March. For a week I was barely human. When I was starting to feel better after five days of testing positive, I thought I might be able to write a newsletter. I was overcome with brain fog while working. I couldn't write anything to my editor. For the first time in my life, I was within my word count.

I am not bringing this up because I want chocolates that will make me feel better, but because I am appalled at the number of public figures announcing that they are working through Covid. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic senate majority leader, has "very mild symptoms" but will work remotely. Dr Anthony Fauci, Biden's chief medical adviser, said last month that he had tested positive but would continue to work from his home. Pete Buttigieg said the same thing around the same time.

I may have gotten milder versions of Covid than these people did. They might be able to work while sick. There is still so much we have to learn about long Covid, so they should not be boasting about that. A number of health experts warn that public figures are trying to downplay the risk of long Covid and encourage others to think that they can just push through it. The cult of productivity is not a good thing.