They Don’t See the Crash: Jesse’s Long COVID Story

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Jesse was a long-time teacher at Garfield High, writer and activist when his life was upended by new ailments after he had a COVID infection. His story is the second in a series of comics about what it’s like to have long COVID.

 The series features King County residents and providers sharing their experiences with the long-lasting symptoms and conditions that can follow an infection with COVID-19. Thank you to Jesse Hagopian for sharing this story.

Jesse, a Black man with a neatly trimmed beard, looks at a COVID test. He squints his eyes and looks dizzy. Text: Everyone in my family got COVID. For everyone but me, the symptoms were gone after a couple of weeks. But after my initial illness, I started feeling dizzy and had intense brain fog. Jesse's thoughts: “I feel like I have a concussion, but my test reads negative now. What’s going on?”
Jesse rubs his head and squints his eyes as he stands on a busy street with a car honking and bystanders shouting. Text: I was sensitive to light and noise. Sounds from multiple directions were very disorienting.
In the top panel, Jesse talks on the phone to a doctor. Jesse: Doctor, how long will this last? Doctor: Could be 3 months? We don't know enough about long COVID yet to predict. I can connect you with some supports. The bottom panel shows 3 months later, as Jesse talks to an aquaintance. The aquaintance says, "My symptoms took 6 months to go away." Jesse looks alarmed.
Jesse has his head in his hands. Text: When 6 months came, I had to go through a difficult emotional process. It was challenging to adjust expectations and maintain on a daily level. Jesse' thoughts: “How do I stop fixating on when this is going to end? Am I just going to have to live like this??!”
Jesse wears a baseball cap and T-shirt that reads “Rainiers.” He talks to a smiling Filipina mom with the same hat and shirt. Two teenage boys in Rainiers baseball uniforms stand next to them. Text: A year and a half later, some of the symptoms have lessened. But I’m still fatigued, and the dizziness continues. Any kind of exertion can make me feel nauseous. Jesse: “Sorry, I can’t drive. Can my son get a ride with you to the game?” Other mom: "Of course!"
Jesse in professional clothing talking to a group on Zoom. The Zoom screen reads, "Teaching for Black Lives." Text: I loved being a teacher for over 20 years. I had to stop working in the classroom. Now I do trainings and lead study groups for teachers on Zoom. I’m still an activist. I can give a talk, but it takes it out of me. Jesse says, "“Thanks for attending this training.” Jesse thinks: “That was only an hour and I’m wiped.”
A close up of Jesse’s laptop with the words jumbled. Text: I also took 4 months off from my other work as a writer. These days I can express an idea in writing…but editing is mentally exhausting because I have to piece words together.”
Jesse lies on a couch in the dark. His teenage son, wearing a baseball cap, peers through the door. Text: It’s been hard on my family. They’ve been worried and scared. I try to push myself by coaching for my kids’ teams. But I’m just not as present for them as I want to be. Jesse: “Sorry to miss the game.” Son: “It’s OK. Just get some rest, Dad.”
Jesse playing the harmonica into a microphone. His friend holds a guitar, standing next to him. Text: I also play in a blues band with my friend, ever since we went to Garfield High. I get a nauseous hangover for a few days after I play, but it’s what I love to do.
Jesse lies on a couch, arm over his head, tired but smiling. Text: People see me giving everything I have to the things I love: coaching, giving talks, music. But they don’t see the crash afterwards. Jesse's thoughts: “Totally worth it.”
Jesse startled as he talks to another parent. Text: It’s on ongoing struggle to navigate socially. For a long time, I talked about it like an illness, but at what point does it become a disability? Other parent: “You have long COVID? So like you’ve had a cough all this time?”

Long COVID Resources

Resources for people with long COVID:

Preventing long COVID

Anything you can do to reduce the risk of getting COVID in the first place and decrease the risk of severe disease will also reduce the risk of long COVID. So that means:

  • Keeping up with COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Using all the protective measures, especially in crowded situations, like wearing well fitting masks and making sure there is good air flow in rooms.
  • Even if you had previous infection and never got long COVID, it is important to take precautions because long COVID can still occur during re-infection.
  • Testing early and if you are eligible, getting treatment if you get infected with COVID-19.

Read other long COVID stories in the series: Coming to Terms with Long COVID: Deepa’s Story – PUBLIC HEALTH INSIDER

Comic by Meredith Li-Vollmer. Originally posted on March 15, 2024, International Long COVID Awareness Day.

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I am a risk communications specialist at Public Health - Seattle & King County.