In an effort to better understand the effects of long COVID-19 in U.S. workplaces, the U.S. Department of Labor, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Surgeon General have joined forces to create a virtual forum to solicit comments and suggestions from the public. The forum, Understanding and Addressing the Workplace Challenges Related to Long COVID, is hosted by the U.S. Office of Disability Employment Policy, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Employment and Training Administration and Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs.
An estimated one in five people infected with COVID in the U.S. may experience long COVID, which is associated with symptoms lasting three or more months. Symptoms may include fatigue, respiratory complaints, heart palpitations, dizziness, gastrointestinal upsets, muscle or joint pain, brain fog, headaches, anxiety or depression, rash and menstrual cycle changes. Public input on long COVID is being sought in the following areas:
- Challenges workers face as they cope with symptoms
- Support for workers with long COVID from their employers
- Ways to inform workers and employers about long COVID
- Organizations to engage to develop solutions for those affected by long COVID
- Obstacles to obtaining disability benefits that workers with long COVID face
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