Urgent PSA : A certain subset of people who get COVID-19 *might* go on to develop an illness called ME. As of now we don't know for sure or how many could be at risk. But if you do experience symptoms, no matter what doctors might say, you need to *rest* and not push yourself. https://twitter.com/twitchyspoonie/status/1250523656981118976

This is a short explanation of what ME is and what a few of symptoms are: https://www.meaction.net/about/what-is-me/

And this is one of the diagnostic criterias being used, which might not fully apply here, but is the best list of possible symptoms I have:
https://www.me-pedia.org/wiki/International_Consensus_Criteria

But mostly my point is, if you begin experiencing lots of fatigue even after the virus has gone, please rest as much as you feel you need to. Don't push yourself. Many people with ME start out mild and only get severe, debilitating cases after pushing themselves too far.

I don't want to scare people or fear monger. I just want this information to be out there because it's likely doctors wouldn't give it to you. I got ME when I was 9 after getting the flu and didn't get a diagnosis for over a decade.

Doctors said it was in my head, accused me of faking and said I just needed to exercise more. So I did and it always made me sicker. I'm lucky to only have a moderate case now, but many aren't so lucky & end up being bedbound for months or years after pushing themselves too far.

Obviously the symptoms can be vague, so just because you have a few doesn't mean you have ME, but just in case, please rest all you need to. Don't do anything you don't feel up to doing. It's ok to not be productive and just take care of yourself for as long as you need .

Also, please do show solidarity with the people who've been dealing with ME for years or even decades before now, even if you don't get it yourself. We've been fighting for our human rights for decades and face incredible stigma on top of this awful disease.

If you have the time, please watch Unrest on Netflix and try to learn about our struggle. Every time there's an outbreak or virus, a growing number of people get this and there's little support for them when they do.

This is a disability rights issue and a human rights issue that's probably only going to get more relevant during this pandemic. We need to stick together, care for each other and protect everyone's rights, especially to healthcare, housing and home care and support.