Rick Ford

Screenshot of a Medical Xpress article dated February 9, 2026, titled “Study shows impaired energy metabolism in the brains of people with post-COVID.” Article by Torsten Lauer from the Central Institute of Mental Health, edited by Lisa Lock and reviewed by Andrew Zinn. Below the headline is a scientific figure showing brain images and multiple charts comparing ATP/PCr ratios and pH in different brain regions (medial, anterior, and posterior cingulate cortex) between post-COVID patients and controls, illustrating altered brain energy metabolism.

"Study shows impaired energy metabolism in the brains of people with post-COVID"

Brain fog, poor concentration and slowed thinking in Long COVID patients are linked to altered brain energy metabolism, with MRI studies showing changes that correlate with worse cognitive test performance.

@schoolsweek.bsky.social Covid is causing neurological problems, these are well documented now with MRI scans also but are never included in the narrative on mental health. Totally unscientific to leave out a key reason for the increase!

You very accurately capture this season for me. My heart goes out to those who preceded us and are helping us to come to terms with this seemingly never ending illness.

Those Who Were Already Here Learning to Live Inside a History I Did Not Choose

A quote from my new piece, Those Who Were Already Here. Words can’t begin to express my gratitude to members of the ME/CFS community.

“The people who live with #MECFS did not greet #LongCOVID with surprise. They greeted it with recognition.”

substack.com/home/post/p-...

It's the same w/my autoimmune disease, also triggered by COVID: "The worst part of getting Long COVID was the cruelty of the disease... The next-worst part, and just as heartbreaking, was discovering how few of my friends and loved ones could engage with my illness in ways that felt caring." A 🧵

Long covid sucks and millions of us suffer with it daily, for some the lockdown never ended. If someone is slowing down, flaking on you or not following through, stop & consider they are trying their best in a silent struggle that wears on us daily.
#LongCovidSucks

I just want to wake up one morning and actually feel rested. Like my body actually did what sleep is supposed to do. Like I could get up and exist without pushing through exhaustion before the day even starts. #longcovid #mecfs

And sadly, also medical costs.

Read it and weep.. #politics #activism

“I don’t mask and I’m not sick”

“I don’t know anyone with Long Covid”

“I’m not worried I trust my immune system”

“If I get sick I will try harder to get better”

These are all coping mechanisms.

People can’t accept that they will likely become disabled eventually. 🧵

Spammy clickbait on long covid articles is just mean!

Still masking, as is my spouse & our kid! Sickness down across the board in our family, and as a result we're also safe visitors for people who are also immunocompromised or masking, so we have community.

It's never too late to start again if you've stopped.

Long Covid SOS infographic titled “The only way to prevent Long Covid is to avoid Covid.” Five teal boxes with orange warning-style icons: mask (N95), house, face with thermometer, ventilation fan, and crossed-out medical cross. Messages: wear a good mask, isolate if ill, test with symptoms, ventilate or meet outside, and remember Long Covid has no cure. Footer: website link and Long Covid SOS logo.

Covid infections are climbing again. the only way to prevent #LongCovid is to avoid catching Covid.

There is no cure for Long Covid and repeated infections can make LC worse. Protect yourself & others by reducing your risk of infection. 1/2

Longcovidsos.org

👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼🤬🤬🤬

TRUMP & EPSTEIN ARE SEX TRAFFICKERS!!! I’m gonna post this every day so nobody forgets exactly who Pedophile Trump is and why the Epstein files have suddenly disappeared.

A disabled double amputee named Rodney Taylor has been held in ICE custody since January.

He’s been denied his new prosthetic legs and is now in solitary confinement.

His “crime”? A burglary when he was a teen for which he received a full pardon. 🧵

A tumblr text post from kdhumecurious. It read as follows: "I get that people don't see the damage they do by spreading covid unless the consequences hit them or someone close to them. But I do. I see suicidal ideation posts in the long covid support groups every week, often from people who have never had mental health struggles before. I hear about kids losing their childhoods, teenagers missing their youth. I hear stories from ultra marathon runners who can't get out of bed and doctors, engineers, and scientists who have to retire because of covid brain damage. When we spread covid, we ruin lives. Not some tiny percentage, but millions of lives. Possibly permanently. In the face of all this pain and damage, I cannot understand the refusal to mask in public. It makes me doubt the goodness of friends and family and people I've known all my life. Especially when I beg them to care, not just about me, but about strangers. Kids who are going to grow up in pain from damage they never should have been exposed to in the first place. Why don't they matter enough to make a change? What magic combination of words can I use to make that pain matter? Why won't you try?"

Damn good question.

😢😢😢😢😢

go.bsky.app/BBNeEAk

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NOT Sleeping !
Are You ?

#GetLoud #Covid #MaskUp #LongCovid #LongCovidKids

Thanks for sharing! I had never considered an e-bike as a long covid friendly exercise tool. Keeping pacing requirements in mind of course.

Please get a covid test. Children and seniors are not great groups to be spreading illness to.

Powerful closing remarks from PLRC co-founder @ahandvanish.bsky.social at the Keystone Symposia on #LongCovid last week, reflecting on the state of research and the journey of the patient community:

"In our immediate presence, time slows, while the world beyond speeds up, and moves without us”

Audience for a Long COVID conference all wearing masks

This is what the audience for a Long COVID conference looked like today. Notice anything? 😷

THIS. If you have questions, just ask me about my experience of long COVID. It is not fun.

DecodeME: The Results announcement post. The graphic has a blue background with a DNA helix. In the centre of the graphic it says ‘We have released our initial DNA results! We have discovered that your genes contribute to your chances of developing ME/CFS.’ At the bottom left of the graphic is an image of a research paper.

Our initial DNA results! DecodeME have discovered that people with an ME/CFS diagnosis have significant genetic differences compared to the general population.
-
Summary of our results: shorturl.at/pgsjk
Check out our full preprint paper: shorturl.at/VwN3s

You can either Mask mask now or wish you had later.

Covid continues to rise so now is the time to mask up if you’ve been negligent

📌