The Cruel Reality of Long Covid-19

<p><i>This episode contains strong language.</i></p><p>Ivan Agerton of Bainbridge Island, Wash., was usually unflappable. A 50-year-old adventure photographer and former marine, he has always been known to be calm in a crisis.</p><p>Soon after testing positive for the coronavirus this fall, he began experiencing psychosis. He spent Christmas in a psychiatric ward.</p><p>Today, we hear from Ivan and look at the potential long-term neurological effects of the Covid-19</p><p>Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/pam-belluck">Pam Belluck</a>, a health and science reporter for The New York Times. </p><p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/signup/NTTD?smid=pc-thedaily">Sign up here</a> to get The Daily in your inbox each morning. And for an exclusive look at how the biggest stories on our show come together, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/the-daily?module=inline">subscribe to our newsletter</a>. </p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>A small number of coronavirus patients have reported<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/28/health/covid-psychosis-mental.html?smid=pc-thedaily"> severe psychotic symptoms.</a> Most had no history of mental illness.</li><li>Some people experiencing long-term Covid-19 symptoms are<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/17/health/coronavirus-patients-and-vaccine-effects.html?smid=pc-thedaily"> feeling better after getting the vaccine</a>, but it is too soon to tell whether the shots have a broad beneficial effect on patients with continuing issues.</li></ul><p>For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily">nytimes.com/thedaily.</a></p><p> Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.</p>