‘LONG HAULERS’ CAN NOW QUALIFY AS DISABLED

The Federal Department of Health and Human Services and the Justice Department have determined that “long COVID” can be considered a disability under federal law.  “Long haulers or long COVID” are defined as those individuals who have had COVID and recovered but who continue to suffer from both neurological as well as other symptoms, long-term.  Per the CDC, long haulers can experience new or ongoing symptoms for weeks or months after the virus including fatigue, cognitive difficulties, headaches, and difficulty breathing.  Just like anyone else with a disability, “long haulers” are entitled to the same protections from discrimination.  That being said, a diagnosis of long COVID does not automatically qualify someone as disabled, and individuals must be assessed to determine if their physical and mental symptoms are substantially impacting major life activities.

Source: Greenwald, Judy. “’Long COVID’ can now be considered disability under federal law.” Business Insurance: July 26, 2021, https://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20210726/NEWS06/912343481/%E2%80%98Long-COVID%E2%80%99-can-be-considered-disability-under-federal-law. Accessed Sept. 23, 2021.