Well, it finally happened to me. ER nurse called HOSPITAL SECURITY on me last night because I declined to remove my mask--despite repeatedly stating immune compromised, have #LongCOVID, can't risk reinfection & asking to speak to my ER doctor on options. Public health? Free fall.
Meighan Stone
18.9K posts
Human rights at home & abroad ♿ Executive Director @LCCampaign. Past: President @MalalaFund, Senior Fellow @CFR_org, Fellow @Kennedy_School, @WFP & @ONECampaign
- Replying to @ScholerinEDSibley Hospital, Washington DC. Use caution if disabled, chronically ill, immune compromised, avoiding COVID reinfection. 1000x if any of above & person of color, or part of any disenfranchised community. I had language few others know to use & still could barely advocate for me.
- Replying to @alexmeshkinMy 13yo just tested positive for 2nd time in SIX WEEKS. Pediatrician said "that's impossible" & became hostile when I tried to explain different variants dominant in DC at those times without cross-immunity & was a documented 2nd exposure. Doctors flying blind & have given up.
- Olympic athletes withdrawing from trials due to COVID performance impact. Not forced to withdraw as tested positive--athletes announcing COVID impacts making unable to compete in trials trained for & dreamed of for years. Sadly, this won't surprise anyone following the research.British athletes Holly Bradshaw and Sarah McDonald will miss their Olympic Trials due to Covid 😞
- Another day, another Kafkaesque #LongCOVID moment--stylist who has cut my hair for a decade just emailed all their clients they have Long COVID & now unable to work. They shared links to @thephysicsgirl @LCMoonshot & asked clients to learn more while recovering. It's everywhere.
- Replying to @CGMuseWorksI had lines in both arms yet nurse claimed there was "no other way" to take temp, administer fever meds or Zofran unless took off mask🫠 I asked repeatedly to ask my treating ER doctor about options. Nurse told officer tried to "educate" me "no way anyone in ER could have COVID."
- Replying to @carolandmocha and @CGMuseWorksNurse kept saying "I'm trying to EDUCATE you" & I repeatedly stated surveillance clearly shows currently in big US surge. Plus as immune compromised, ER not exactly safest place to start! Wish she knew how many other nurses, just like her, are now disabled due to Long COVID.
- Replying to @tingkun55I think US now at point that public "pro mask ban" campaigns & mask ban passage that practically makes it impossible for chronically ill & disabled folks to make personal, common sense choices to protect their lives--it's indeed created enabling environment for my ER experience.
- For other #LongCOVID folks, I’m nearing end of COVID reinfection acute phase & thought I’d share my experience & some resources for other chronically ill or disabled folks. This COVID reinfection has been a rough ride– this new variant took me down fast, hard & severely. 1/x
GIF - In a wheelchair accessible DC taxi, in my mask, beadwork & animal print @SFdirewolf tribute shirt? Must be on the way to ask Congress to fully fund #LongCOVID #POTS #Dysautonomia research & care. Thanks so much @Dysautonomia for the invite to speak at your PACKED Advocacy Day!♿
- I'm often the only #LongCOVID patient able to attend Senate hearings like today's with @SecKennedy (walking in behind my wheelchair seating to testify at HELP Committee on FY26). But I always try my best to bring every patient & person advocating with @LCCampaign in the room too.
GIF - Replying to @Blackdisabledl2Thanks for support Jermaine. I know you understand more than just about anyone. I asked about recording audio or calling friend to be on phone with me. Declined morphine I really needed because I was alone & with care compromised, not sure what could happen. Pain safer option.
- Last night, I read @royalhansen's post on his son's #LongCOVID fight. Today, I woke up in a flare with PEM & pain that made me feel like I had to cancel my meetings at Congress. But then I remembered their family & decided I had to go to the Hill anyway. Soren, today was for you.
00:00“A healthy [child] wants a thousand things, a sick [child] only wants one.” - Confucius linkedin.com/pulse/growing-… - #SOTU fact check: Sadly as of Feb 2024, more Americans died from COVID under President Biden than Trump. Trump: 465,043 lives lost, 39% total deaths Biden: 713,484 lives lost, 61% total deaths That's with a vaccine & before even consider #LongCOVID impact #WeNeedPolicyChangeNow








