Long Covid Is The Source Of All My Problems

NY Post - Extreme fatigue and difficulty exercising are common symptoms of long COVID — now scientists may finally have discovered why.

While most people who test positive for the coronavirus are over their symptoms within a week or two, more research is showing that some people continue to report symptoms — and even develop new ones — three months after their initial positive test, lasting for months or even years.

A new study, published in the journal Nature Communications, suggests that some of these symptoms may persist or worsen as those with long COVID-19 experience biological changes in their bodies after working out — most notably involving their muscles.

I simply can't put into words the wave of relief I felt rush over me after reading this scientific article. This whole time I've been under the impression that my lack of ability to get my ass out of bed, make the 8 minute walk to the gym, and throw some weights around for 60-90 minutes before work was all due to a lack of intrinsic motivation. I thought it was MY fault. LMAO. I thought I'd gotten comfortable. I thought the fact that I met the love of my life, got a job at Barstool Sports, and proceeded to get engaged had rendered me complacent. I assumed that I had lost my desire to take care of myself because I had already achieved a large portion of the life goals I set out to accomplish in my younger years. I was beating myself up about it too. I thought, "God damn it, John. You big dumb loser. What in the hell are you doing with your life? There's a reason you got to where you are right now. To abruptly stop doing the things that got you here in the first place and sit back on your laurels is truly despicable "

But then I read about long COVID and everything became clear. My own laziness isn't my fault at all. What I had perceived as my own pathetic complacency can now be explained away by medical science. As it turns out, I haven't gotten "lazy" at all. My recent lack of discipline has NOTHING to do with the fact that I'm now comfortable with myself because I have a woman at home who does my laundry, washes the dishes, and cleans the entire apartment. Trust me, I would be doing more if physically could. It's just not possible for me. Because thanks to recent scientific discoveries, I've now realized that I'm suffering from the debilitating effects of long COVID. 

I first came down with COVID in December 2020. It sucked. I almost couldn't go home for Christmas. But luckily for me, the rest of my family came down with COVID separately, so I no longer had to worry about being responsible for my dad's death. If he died it was my mom's fault. I felt fine about going home and being one big, mildly sick, happy family. But thankfully, I was able to bounce back from that. I got back to the gym and resumed living a healthy & responsible lifestyle. 

Fast forward a couple years later. Everything is still going swimmingly. But out of nowhere, I get COVID again. It was extremely embarrassing. Who the fuck gets COVID in 2023? My immune system is clearly a bitch. Out of courtesy to my lib-ass co-workers, I stayed home for a few of days. But once I felt better, I got right back to work. Unfortunately, things were never the same after that.

Suddenly, my whole mentality changed. Why keep up with my laundry when I work at an office that's littered with free merchandise. I can bring home fresh clothing every day if I want. Not to mention, why wash any clothes at all when my fiancée will take of them eventually?

Then I started ordering takeout for lunch every day. Why spend 30 minutes twice a week to meal prep chicken and rice when there's a restaurant on every corner?

Then I said fuck the gym. Why go to the gym at all when I've already managed to convince some poor girl to say yes to my marriage proposal? Why wake up at 6:30 to make myself look better for her when I can sleep in another 2 hours and drag myself to a fake job where I have zero supervision?

I thought it was my own problem. I thought I was being selfish. I was so disappointed in myself that I nearly enrolled in therapy to help get back on track. Can you imagine if I would have wasted my time on such a trivial thing when I'm nothing more than a victim of long COVID? What an idiot I would have been to attempt something to futile. 

Thank God I learned about long COVID. An incredible weight has been lifted off my shoulders. For anybody out there reading this... if you've been feeling down on yourself lately... if you haven't been living up to your own standards... just know that it's not your fault. Not one bit. Even if you don't think you've ever had COVID... you probably did. You probably just didn't feel the effects. We can all stop beating ourselves up about our lack of personal discipline. We can only hope the effects of long COVID will stop soon. But until then, I'm going to catch the train home, pick up a six-pack and a steak quesadilla, then watch some bad reality TV until I fall asleep. It's the only thing I'm medically capable of doing.