Long COVID and other mysterious chronic illnesses

PLUS: Tune into your creative side

View this email online March 1, 2022 by Suzette Lohmeyer Welcome to March! Just a few weeks until the first day of spring. 🌺 🌼🌷 Today we look at mysterious chronic illnesses like long COVID. Plus, how to tap into your creative side and the bands are back at Mardi Gras!  One person with long COVID might have brain fog and fatigue. Another could suffer from body aches and shortness of breath. It's an illness that is hard to explain and difficult to diagnose because people experience it so differently. But one thing everyone can agree on: It's pretty awful to have a chronic illness. Here's how long COVID has shed light on other mysterious (and lonely) chronic illnesses. Fanatic Studio/Getty Images/Collection Mix: Sub There's good news and eh news. Let's start with the good news: The COVID-19 vaccine reduces kids' risk of getting the virus and (if they do get it) keeps them from getting hospital-level sick. OK, now the eh news: The low-dose version of the Pfizer vaccine is less effective at protecting kids ages 5-11 against infection than the higher-dose version given to older children and adults.  Newsletter continues after sponsor message Creativity for your mental health Photo Illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR Tapping into your creative side (yes, you have one) can help you manage the stress, fear and worry that seem to be taking up permanent residence in your brain. So why not work creativity into your everyday life? Here are four tips on how to do just that.  The bands are back! Aubri Juhasz/WWNO Put on your party hat and get your beads ready! Mardi Gras parades are back in New Orleans after a pandemic hiatus. The best part? The city's beloved high school bands have returned to the streets. I can hear the snare drum now. See photos or listen to the story.  WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! What are your plans for spring? Send your stories, insights and photos to thenewnormal@npr.org. You could be featured in an upcoming edition of The New Normal newsletter! Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from WBEZ (edit station). What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: thenewnormal@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to New Normal emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy