Dear Federal Council, Dear Parliament, Dear FOPH, Dear Conference of Cantonal Directors of Public Health (GDK) and Medical Specialists Association FMH, Dear Cantonal and City Parliaments of all Swiss Cantons, A SWISS NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR LONG COVID AND ME/CFS PATIENTS ME/CFS Schweiz, which has been working for patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) for over 25 years, would like to urge you to recognise that, according to case figures from the UK, one in ten people who test positive for COVID-19 suffer from symptoms of fatigue and other symptoms for a period of twelve weeks or longer.(1) This development of the disease is internationally known as Long COVID or Post-COVID-19 Syndrome. Since general symptoms of exhaustion characterise both Long COVID and ME/CFS, the two syndromes cannot be clearly distinguished from each other. There are also findings indicating that both diseases may have a similar pathophysiology.(2) Due to the dramatic increase in cases of Long COVID and ME/CFS as a result of the COVID pandemic and the severe limitations experienced by those affected, there is an immediate need for action. https://www.petitions.net/a_swiss_national_strategy_for_long_covid_and_mecfs_patients
