LCK In The News

The BBC reports on a questions asked to Boris Johnston by Sarah Hannett QC, acting on behalf of the children's charities Long Covid Kids and Long Covid Kids Scotland.

Hannett says Johnson was "advised about paediatric long Covid" in the summer of 2021, including that rates would rise. She says "no formal advice or guidance" was given by the government. Johnson expresses his sympathies with sufferers of long Covid, but says he doesn't remember being advised about the impact in children. He challenges a sentence in the document - "I'm confused by that sentence... I wonder whether it contains a mistake," he says.

Hannett asks whether the government should have shared details of the risks with parents. Johnson says the government should have done so if it had details, but again challenges the wording of the document.

Laith McAllister, who has been living with long Covid for four years, and is a member of the Long Covid Kids support group was interviewed by Nabiha Ahmed.

"It's very isolating and my own personal struggle... I keep it tucked away because it's hard to explain," he says while describing his health condition. Laith reports that his friends don't fully understand the effects of long Covid, which left him bed-ridden for four months. He originally wanted to have a career in music and drama, Laith says, but he's now unable to do so due to the effect long Covid has had on his memory.

"It's ruined childhoods and is not understood well," he tells me. "I want to see Boris take accountability."

As part of the coverage of Boris Johnston's appearance at Module 8 of the UK Covid Inquiry, Nabiha Ahmed reporting for the BBC shared the above photograph.

She reports that campaigners from various groups formed a huddle outside the inquiry building, after Johnson finished answering questions. These include those from our charity, Long Covid Kids and alos those representing Clinically Vulnerable Families - which supports vulnerable and immunocompromised people, and those living in their households.

We are very grateful to LCK volunteer Jana, and member Harbinder who spoke to the Mirror about the experiences of their children, who are living with the debilitating symptoms of Long Covid.

The article states that "Thousands of children have been left seriously disabled and often bedbound due to the post-viral syndrome which their parents say much of the NHS still refuses to recognise" and it goes on to recognise that "Desperate families say there is a lack of acknowledgement from the NHS, schools and social services that Long Covid is even an issue for children". As Jana quotes “They are invisible children and there are thousands of them. We really need help to make them visible and not forgotten.”

The article includes parts of LCK CEO and founder, Sammie McFarland's, witness statement to Module 8 of the Covid Inquiry “My daughter’s story is just one of thousands. Her experience reflects the failure to protect children from infection, the lack of early recognition of Long Covid, and the ongoing challenges young people face in accessing care, support and understanding.”

Sammie McFarland, founder of the Dorset-based international charity Long Covid Kids (LCK), was invited to the Women of the Year Lunch. The lunch and awards celebrate and advance the achievements of women across the UK and globally. The invite was in recognition of her work with LCK and raising awareness about the debilitating condition.

She said: “I’m so honoured to have been recognised alongside such incredible women, true trailblazers and changemakers whose impact is inspiring.

"While I wasn’t able to attend in person, my own experience mirrors that of many children with Long Covid who miss school and special moments through no choice of their own.

"As the Covid Inquiry examines decisions that shaped children’s health and education, it’s vital we ensure they’re supported, not penalised. Recognition like this helps shine a light on that need and brings us closer to the understanding and compassion all children deserve.”