Summary
More than three years into the pandemic, physicians and researchers are still struggling to understand long COVID. A recent study at Mass General Brigham has tried to take a step toward defining the condition affecting millions of people. PBS NewsHour digital health reporter Laura Santhanam joins John Yang to discuss the findings. For a transcript of this story, click here . News wrap alternative : Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.Five Facts
- According to journalist Laura Santhanam, who is most at risk of severe long COVID symptoms based on evidence from the study?
- What reservations do some COVID experts have about the study?
- How did researchers collect data for the study?
- According to Santhanam, why is this study useful?
- According to Santhanam, what other areas need more research?
Focus Questions
Journalist Laura Santhanam describes how "it's been such a struggle for so many people [to receive medical care for their long COVID symptoms], and many of them have felt adrift in the healthcare system... for years." “Evidence-based medicine” tries to reduce variations in practice, reduce inappropriate care and reduce waste by using results of studies of large groups of people as the basis for medical guidelines. On the other hand, some feel that it is bad medical policy to apply general rules to all cases and that medicine requires that the physician use his or her knowledge of the particular patient in deciding on the course of treatment along with the patient. What do you think? News Analysis : The host interviewed a health reporter to discuss findings from the recent study. Who else would you have liked to have heard from? Alternative : See, Think, Wonder : What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?For More
What students can do: How can you educate community members about long COVID? Make an infographic on the symptoms of long COVID like the one included in today's news segment and put it up around your community!STUDENT VIDEO OF THE DAY (May 19, 2021)
This lesson was written by Fariya Farah, a junior at Amherst College and NewsHour Classroom’s intern, with editing by Luke Gerwe. Fill out this form to share your thoughts on Classroom’s resources. Sign up for NewsHour Classroom’s ready-to-go Daily News Lessons delivered to your inbox each morning.
