Legacy of long Covid must not be ignored

The plight of those who continue to be affected by Long Covid must be recognised and addressed, the NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union has argued today.

Consigning the pandemic to history risks leaving those whose health has been significantly, and in some cases permanently, affected by Covid-19 without the treatment and help they need, the Union has told TUC Congress in Liverpool today.

The NASUWT has been calling for Long Covid to be legally recognised as a disability under the Equality Act of 2010.

Teachers are among the groups of workers most likely to be affected by Long Covid and the Union has also been calling for reasonable adjustments, flexible working and financial compensation for teachers left unable to teach as a result of contracting Covid at work.

Jane Peckham, NASUWT Deputy General Secretary, who seconded the motion, said:

“The pandemic exposed the long-term failure to address deep-seated inequalities in our society, which resulted in disabled people being more likely to die from Covid-19 and to report a negative impact on their wellbeing due to the impact of the pandemic.

“These inequalities risk being further entrenched if the needs of the hundreds of thousands of people living with Long Covid are forgotten.

“The pandemic may be over, but Long Covid sufferers are living with its effects every day.

“Better provision for those living with long-term disabilities and health conditions is just one of the many lessons that need to be learned from the pandemic.”