In the first wave of Covid-19, Chantal Britt suffered a rather minor bout of the disease. But since then, she’s suffered from Long Covid and is now campaigning for more research into it. | Image: zVg

Since March 2021, the Swiss Long Covid Association has been campaigning for this syndrome to be recognised officially and subjected to multi-disciplinary research. One of its co-founders, Chantal Britt, is a science communicator and is herself affected. She explains why researchers and politicians need to put Long Covid on their agenda.

Chantal Britt, the Swiss Long Covid Association is demanding that the Federal Council set up a fund for clinical research into Long Covid. Why?
At the beginning of the pandemic, a lot of money was promised very quickly for research into Covid-19. Back then, no one could have known that there would be long-term consequences that we don’t understand and that can’t be treated. That’s why the money is now lacking for this.

What research already exists into Long Covid?

In Switzerland there is only a small amount of research in the field of pneumology, because people originally assumed that Covid would primarily affect the lungs. It only later became clear that other organs are also affected, such as the heart, kidneys and brain.

Has research made more progress abroad?

In the USA and England, there were a lot of people among researchers and healthcare workers who were themselves affected early on. They were able to communicate the problem credibly and exert the necessary pressure. That’s why research started there at an early date. Meanwhile, monies for research into Long Covid have also been granted in Holland, Germany and elsewhere.

You are a science communicator and you know how the research sector functions. Does that mean you’ve got better chances of achieving something?

I have experience and knowledge, and I’m still fit enough, despite Long Covid. That’s why I feel duty bound to get involved. We’re yet to see if we will reach our goals.

Apart from the missed opportunity at the outset, what are the other political hurdles you face?

Here in Switzerland, there is simply no strategy for dealing with Long Covid. The problem isn’t being quantified, and no one is assuming responsibility. There is a lack of interdisciplinary collaboration between expert associations, and there is no dialogue between all those involved. That’s what’s needed if Swiss researchers are going to provide effective help to those with Long Covid.

Why does Long Covid itself need more research? What about other neglected diseases?

This syndrome affects a lot of people. It’s not a rare disease. There are a lot of open questions about the mechanisms of the disease, the effectiveness of treatments and chronification. If children are truly being affected too – and we are currently assuming that this is the case – then we can’t just let Covid spread through the schools. What’s more, this research could also benefit people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, which bears a lot of similarities to Long Covid and has long been neglected.