In a matter of months, COVID-19 has dramatically altered our everyday lives.

While numerous countries have successfully implemented measures to control the virus's spread and minimize casualties, the United States remains in a precarious situation. The nation continues to grapple with rising infection and death rates, along with widespread closures of schools and businesses, highlighting a severe lack of effective response to this pandemic.

So, why is there still a sense of denial?

Many individuals rely on statistics to downplay the seriousness of COVID-19, often using data to suggest that the virus's high survival rates do not justify the extensive global measures taken in response.

Let’s delve into this for a moment.

Why is there such concern over a virus that boasts a 99% survival rate?

(This is a common argument presented by those skeptical of mask mandates and the severity of COVID-19.) Where do we start?

First, it’s important to clarify that the 99% survival rate is misleading.

As reported by Worldometer, the actual infection fatality rate for COVID-19 is around 1.4%, meaning about 98.6% survive—significantly lower than the often-quoted figure of 99% or more. Furthermore, this data was compiled in May 2020, prior to subsequent surges in cases and fatalities in regions like the United States and Brazil. The current infection fatality rate may even be higher than 1.4%. Thus, the survival rate is not as high as many believe.

It's also worth noting that COVID-19 has only been in our lives for less than a year, which complicates our understanding of its statistics.

We cannot accurately compare COVID-19 with illnesses like influenza, which have had decades to provide stable data on infection and mortality rates. COVID-19 has already proven to be exceptionally serious in this brief timeframe, and we lack the necessary duration to make any fair comparisons.

Moreover, COVID-19 is manageable—we just aren't taking the necessary steps to do so.

Are we suggesting that the 1.4% who perish don't matter? Do we not care about their lives? This mindset is troubling. Yes, the odds of dying in a car accident may be statistically greater than from COVID-19, but we still buckle our seatbelts to prevent fatalities. When we can avert a crisis, we should take action. So why are we not applying this same logic during the COVID-19 pandemic?

The most unsettling truth about COVID-19 is the uncertainty surrounding its long-term health implications.

Perhaps the death rate doesn’t alarm you. Maybe the statistics fail to persuade you. Perhaps you're indifferent to the management of COVID-19, even if you have the means to do so. However, I implore you to consider this.

We must contemplate the unknown aspects of COVID-19 and its potentially terrifying long-term effects.

There is something more frightening than mere mortality: the enduring consequences of COVID-19. While some individuals recover completely without lasting issues, others continue to face health challenges long after their recovery. And again—it's been less than a year. The uncertainty surrounding the long-term effects of this virus is frightening.

Many individuals who contracted COVID-19 still experience fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, headaches, and confusion long after recovery.

(Importantly, this includes those who were not classified as "high-risk" at the time of infection.) This reality is particularly alarming because if patients are still suffering from these symptoms in the short term, the long-term complications may be even more severe.

Dr. Roger A. Alvarez from the University of Miami healthcare system discovered that individuals previously infected with COVID-19 are at a heightened risk for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Typically, those who develop ARDS require ventilator support and can be in critical condition. Survivors of ARDS often deal with lingering health issues for an extended period, necessitating ongoing visits with lung specialists and primary care doctors.

In addition to respiratory issues and ARDS, patients may also face other cardiovascular, physical, and cognitive challenges. According to Science Magazine, “one group in Italy found that 87% of a patient cohort hospitalized for acute COVID-19 was still struggling 2 months later.” This indicates that even individuals with severe cases of COVID-19 continue to experience the illness's intensity, affecting them far beyond the initial infection.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH) has also investigated the severe consequences of COVID-19, referencing a study from China that revealed severe lung injuries and heart arrhythmias in 20% of mildly symptomatic patients—conditions that could persist for a lifetime. These patients were presumably lower-risk and seemed to have recovered, only to later discover critical lung and heart complications.

Chronic fatigue and brain fog are additional potential effects of COVID-19.

Approximately 35% of recovered COVID-19 patients in the U.S. reported persistent fatigue weeks or months after recovery, as noted by CNN following a July CDC survey. Even New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has spoken about the long-term impacts of the virus, sharing his own struggles with fatigue, depression, and brain fog after his illness.

Even children, typically regarded as the lowest-risk group for COVID-19, can suffer severe consequences from the disease.

An NBC news report highlights the case of Nia Haughton, a 15-year-old from London who faced cognitive difficulties following her COVID-19 infection. Haughton experienced hallucinations, auditory disturbances, and confusion about her surroundings during her recovery. Upon examining her case, Dr. Ming Lim diagnosed her with encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), which could interfere with her neurological development. Dr. Lim is concerned that other children infected with COVID-19 may similarly endure inflammation and cognitive complications, potentially resulting in lasting damage.

In summary: There is much we do not know, and it is wise to approach this situation with caution.

We will not fully understand the effects of COVID-19 until we have a sufficient timeframe for study. Less than a year is insufficient for an illness of this magnitude. While the high survival rate may instill a false sense of security, it represents just one aspect of a much larger picture. Surviving the virus does not guarantee immunity from debilitating and life-altering effects.

We all yearn to return to "normal." We all desire our freedoms back. Few genuinely relish remaining indoors, distancing from others, or wearing masks. Yet we comply because we prioritize the safety of our community, protecting one another from what we know—and what we still don't understand—about this virus.

When prevention and management are possible in the face of such a crisis, it is in our best interest to embrace them.

Especially in an uncertain future with so much at stake.

SOURCES:

• COVID-19 may have lasting effects on some children's brains <https://www.nbcnews.com/health/kids-health/covid-19-may-have-lasting-effects-some-childrens-brains-n123456>
• Coronavirus Death Rate (COVID-19) - Worldometer <https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/coronavirus-death-rate/>
• Looking forward: Understanding the long-term effects of COVID-19 <https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/coronavirus/long-term-effects>
• From 'brain fog' to heart damage, COVID-19's lingering problems alarm scientists <https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/brain-fog-heart-damage-covid-19s-lingering-problems-alarm-scientists>
• What are the Long-Term Effects of COVID-19? <https://news.umiamihealth.org/en/what-are-the-long-term-effects-of-covid-19/>
• Chronic fatigue syndrome a possible long-term effect of Covid-19, experts say <https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/15/health/covid-19-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-experts-wellness/index.html>