LCK In The News

The Telegraph reports that Mr Johnson’s dismissal of long Covid emerged in comments made by Anthony Metzer KC, a lawyer acting for support groups including Long Covid Kids and Long Covid SOS.
In October 2020, while the Department of Health and Social Care was publishing guidance on long Covid and called for recognition and support for people with long Covid, then prime minister Boris Johnson scrawled in capitals that long Covid was ‘b------s’,” said Mr Metzer.
Mr Johnson has submitted a witness statement to the inquiry, chaired by Baroness Hallett, in which he also appeared to be dismissive of Gulf War syndrome – something that will likely anger war veterans as well.
The inquiry will be concerned to probe how the former prime minister could possibly hold this view in October 2020

The Evening Standard reports that Anthony Metzer KC, speaking on behalf of Long Covid Kids, Long Covid SOS and Long Covid Support, told the inquiry that Mr Johnson initially “denied the truth of the suffering” of long Covid patients.
"In October 2020, while the Department of Health and Social Care was publishing guidance on long Covid and called for recognition and support for people with long Covid, then Prime Minister Boris Johnson scrawled in capitals that long Covid was ‘bollocks’.
Adults and children were and still are suffering from debilitating, painful and terrifying symptoms for months and now years after infection, and yet Mr Johnson denied the truth of their suffering".

The Independent reports on the first day of Module 2 of the UK Covid-19 Enquiry. Anthony Metzer KC, speaking on behalf of Long Covid Kids, Long Covid SOS and Long Covid Support, told the inquiry that Mr Johnson initially “denied the truth of the suffering” of long Covid patients.
“In October 2020, while the Department of Health and Social Care was publishing guidance on long Covid and called for recognition and support for people with long Covid, then Prime Minister Boris Johnson scrawled in capitals that long Covid was ‘bollocks’.
It is perhaps noticeable that the former Prime Minister now accepts that long Covid is a serious health condition, but does not say when he changed his mind.
"The UK’s senior most decision makers were dismissing, diminishing and disbelieving the very existence and risk of long Covid.”

Pixie, now 13, told The Press: "It's been horrible. I have never really got better since I got Covid two years ago. It's annoying not doing everything my friends can do." She said the lack of treatments left her feeling hopeless. "They don't know anything to give us".
Pixie's Mum, Mary, would like more to be done for long Covid patients - and for the public to be more understanding.

Sammie McFarland, Long Covid Kids CEO, submitted a written witness statement to the UK Covid Inquiry on behalf of the children and families she supports.
"Thousands of children have suffered various degrees of life changing and long term harm to health. The importance of their voices to this Inquiry can not be understated. To my mind, these children have suffered twice over; from both the direct and indirect impacts of the pandemic".