The symptoms of long COVID are very similar to other conditions included in the Americans with Disabilities Act. On occasions those symptoms are debilitating to the point that many workers may need to leave the workforce.
Symptoms of long COVID include loss of cognitive function (brain fog), respiratory issues, muscle and joint aches, and chronic fatigue.
Liberty Street Economics reports, “Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). ME/CFS affects as many as 2.5 million Americans. What causes ME/CFS or long COVID is not well known, but like long COVID, ME/CFS often follows a viral infection. The two conditions appear to overlap, as they share much of the same diagnostic criteria and possibly the same etiology (there are no direct biological tests for either condition, both are diagnosed based primarily on reported symptoms). The experience of employers and workers dealing with ME/CFS can be instructive as the labor market experiences an influx of those with long COVID.”
According to HHS.gov, long COVID will be considered its own disability under the ADA. The condition is still very new and there are a lot of questions about long term effects. Still, under the current statute long COVID is a legitimate condition that qualifies for disability benefits.
To learn more visit Viner Disability Law.