Still Here: A Podcast From The Sick Times

In this 2-way episode of Still Here: Co-host Betsy Ladyzhets interviews Caitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health and author of the popular newsletter, Force of Infection, as well as the book Crisis Averted: The Hidden Science of Fighting Outbreaks.

Rivers discussed which data sources she relies on for her trend updates, interpreting data for day-to-day decisions, question...

In this 2-way episode of Still Here: In spring 2025, Salvatore and Stephanie Mattera launched the new site Help for Long COVID, inspired by Salvatore’s challenges finding healthcare after he developed the disease. Salvatore talks with podcast co-host Betsy Ladyzhets about how the project — which he describes as a community Wikipedia-type database — came about, feedback they’ve received so far, his advice for people with Long COVID ...

In this episode of Still Here: A two-way between Miles Griffis and Betsy Ladyzhets comparing and contrasting Long COVID and ME clinical trial designs for drugs targeting immune dysregulation and viral persistence.

The transcript for this episode can be ⁠⁠⁠found on our website⁠⁠⁠, or jump to a specific part of the podcast below:

(00:00:00) ⁠Intro⁠

(00:01:36) ⁠Recap of 2nd Keystone Symposia on Long COVID⁠

(00:20:33) Research

(00:22:48) O...

In this episode of Still Here: A two-way between Miles Griffis and Betsy Ladyzhets comparing and contrasting Long COVID and ME clinical trial designs for drugs targeting immune dysregulation and viral persistence.

The transcript for this episode can be ⁠⁠⁠found on our website⁠⁠⁠, or jump to a specific part of the podcast below:

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:05) 2-way: Long COVID clinical trial design for JAK inhibitors, drugs targeting vir...

In this episode of Still Here: A two-way between Felicity Nelson and Betsy Ladyzhets comparing and contrasting the BC 007 and rapamycin Long COVID and ME clinical trial designs.

The transcript for this episode can be ⁠⁠found on our website⁠⁠, or jump to a specific part of the podcast below:

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:15) 2-way: Long COVID clinical trial design, BC 007 and rapamycin

(00:27:47) Outro

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Mentioned in this episode (in order of...

In this episode of Still Here: The Sick Times' team recaps the Patient-Led Research Fund summer 2025 webinar. Plus, an update about the National Institutes of Health's RECOVER-Treating Long COVID initiative.

The transcript for this episode can be ⁠found on our website⁠, or jump to a specific part of the podcast below:

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:25) Recapping the PLRF summer '25 webinar

(00:19:17) Research: RECOVER-TLC announces hybrid w...

In this episode of Still Here: Contributing writer Simon Spichak discusses what experts say are Canada's "contradictory" and "concerning" latest guidelines for Long COVID, the CAN-PCC.

Plus, in research, we talk about a new study group to test the monoclonal antibody Pemgarda for Long COVID and post-vaccine syndrome, as well as a new study from Taiwan that found 14% of children developed Long COVID after being infected with SARS-CoV...

In this episode of Still Here: Contributing writer Britta Shoot discusses the patchwork of care for people with complex chronic illnesses, like myalgic encephalomyelitis, and how insurance providers create a lose-lose situation for patients and healthcare providers.

Plus, in research, we're looking at a study published in Nature Communications about a new antiviral drug prototype that prevented Long COVID in mice and could also help...

In this 2-way episode of Still Here: Paul Hennessy, a COVID-19 safety advocate based in the Los Angeles area and the Activism Director for Mask Together America, shares more about getting involved in local COVID-19 organizing, a LA budget proposal that reallocated COVID-19 funds meant for cleaner air to other infrastructure upgrades, and considerations for demonstrations centering Long COVID.

The transcript of this Q&A is avail...

In this episode of Still Here: Disabled writer and photographer Megan E. Doherty talks about her recent op-ed covering Illinois advocates' work on legislation that would ban mask bans in Illinois. And writer and artist Kelsey Simpkins discusses a gallery exhibit that opened last month in Colorado showcasing the work of artists with Long COVID.

Plus, in research, we're looking at the rapid responses to a op-ed in The BMJ (British Me...

In this episode of Still Here: Reporter Laura Weiss covers the slew of COVID-19 vaccine policy changes that have occurred since Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy assumed office.

Plus, in research, we're looking at a study published in Pediatric Research that found pregnant people who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 during their first trimester were more likely to have smaller newborns.

The transcript...

In this episode of Still Here: The Sick Times' team recaps the Spring 2025 PolyBio Research Symposium on Long COVID. And disabled journalist Lygia Navarro talks about the language we use for Long COVID, rounding up reader responses to a survey about terms used to describe aspects of the Long COVID experience.

The transcript for this podcast is⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ available on The Sick Times’ website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can jump to specific s...

In this episode of Still Here: Journalist Kate Fishman talks about how game designers have used their medium to showcase experiences of Long COVID, highlight COVID risk, and offer an opportunity for people to think more deeply about ableism. And science and medicine journalist Felicity Nelson shares her experience participating in a Long COVID clinical trial (for low-dose naltrexone).

Also in this episode: A small preprint publishe...

In this episode of Still Here: Betsy Ladyzhets and Heather Hogan recap two April 24 arts events focused on creating space for artists with Long COVID to share their work safely and provide a container for the spectrum of emotions they're feeling. And freelance writer Anna Wenner talks about the importance of self-advocacy after it took two ER trips for doctors to recognize she had a pulmonary embolism caused by a SARS-CoV-2 infecti...

In August, leading Long COVID researchers will gather in Santa Fe, New Mexico for a major conference on Long COVID and other post-acute infection syndromes. (Find more information about the meeting, including deadlines for scholarships and short talks, on the Keystone Symposia website.)

The meeting, organized by Long COVID experts and hosted by the nonprofit Keystone Symposia, follows a similar conference in 2023 at which scientists...

In this episode of Still Here: Science journalist Colleen de Bellefonds discusses a spinal surgery that can help reduce symptoms for some people who have a rare complication of myalgic encephalomyelitis — and, increasingly, Long COVID. And writer and COVID resource archivist Nadica Zimmerman shares experiences from people still practicing COVID safety in the midst of a lack of community support.

Also in this episode: A preprint of ...

The Trump administration's order to eliminate $11 billion in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grants has already impacted some state health departments' work monitoring and researching Long COVID — even with those cuts in limbo.

And in her collection "Days of Grace and Silence: A Chronicle of COVID's Long Haul," Ann E. Wallace chronicles her and her daughters' ongoing journey through Long COVID through poetry.

In this episo...

While tilt table testing is considered the "gold standard" for POTS diagnoses, it can prove risky for many with Long COVID. And on average, the Severe ME Advocacy group sees at least one crisis case from a person with Severe ME facing potentially fatal medical neglect or traumatic medical abuse.

In this episode of Still Here: Author and reporter Justine Barron talks about the nuance of tilt table testing. Plus, advocate and writer ...

Lisa McCorkell, one of the founders of the Patient-Led Research Collaborative (or PLRC), recently stepped down after five years co-leading the organization. She spoke with Still Here co-host Betsy Ladyzhets about formative Long COVID studies, advocating for federal funding, developing new patient-led initiatives, and more.

The full transcript of this interview is available on The Sick Times' website.

PLRC started in spring 2020, when...