COMMENT
The Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome community already stands at an estimated 1.25 million people in the UK. The majority of whom developed M.E/C.F.S as a direct result of catching COVID19. How much more will our patient numbers surge whilst COVID19 is allowed to run unchecked? 2 million by the end of 2024? The way things are going I would not be surprised.
Stripy Lightbulb CIC finds this really concerning.
The UK Government seem content to let COVID19 spread amongst all age groups and, instead of supporting those who become chronically sick, they vilify them in their PR soundbites – ‘Get back to work’.
Unfortunately, due to COVID19, many more hundreds of thousands now have M.E/C.F.S. Prior to the pandemic, research had shown that only around 25% of people living with M.E/C.F.S were physically able to be in employment.
Becoming chronically sick with M.E/C.F.S is when you have your lightbulb moment –
– Barely anyone has been educated about the disease
– Healthcare professionals are not backwards in coming forwards with stigmatising comments and beliefs.
– Families are torn apart with accusations of Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) by teachers and social workers.
– There are no effective treatments
– There is no cure
– There is no easily accessible ‘palliative care’ for those with severe / very severe ME who need this type of ‘care’.
By the time you have your lightbulb moment, it’s too late.
We know we are all used to big numbers being bandied about but 1.25 MILLION is a lot of people when research has shown that only 5% ever recover from M.E/C.F.S (naturally and not as a result of treatment/interventions).
How long will the economy be able to cope with this many people out of work permanently?
At what point does society acknowledge developing chronic illness as the life-destroying event that it is?
Without treatments the only positive step that can be taken is prevention and we firmly believe that more should be done in terms of preventing COVID19 infections. There are many people who dislike masking, installation of good ventilation, and social distancing as mitigations so we would say to them, please suggest alternatives. Something has to be done sooner rather than later as the thought of 2 million people living with M.E/C.F.S in the UK is unthinkable.
Please learn about M.E/C.F.S.
We can’t do anything to limit the number of people becoming chronically sick with M.E/C.F.S but we can educate YOU to make sure all people with M.E/C.F.S are adequately and appropriately supported within healthcare, learning, and working environments.
Sign up here – http://www.stripylightbulb.com