By Ethan Ready

COVID Support Group

Local woman relieved to find COVID Long Haulers support group

Jul 27, 2020 | 4:54 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – They refer to themselves as COVID Long Haulers and Karen Serwatkewich is one of them.

Just last month, CKPG Today met the 48-year-old Prince George woman as she continued her struggle with side effects after having and since testing negative for COVID-19.

Then, she was emotional and anxious; but now, those feelings have slightly subsided as she’s found the support she needs in an online community of people experiencing the same thing.

I just know that I’m not going to go crazy now,” says Serwatkewich with a laugh. “Honest to god, the PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) was kicking in on me and that doesn’t help with the anxiety. The anxiety part has gone down. It was just a relief to find them, that’s all I have to say. It was a relief.”

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The group currently has over 1,100 members, many of which are still battling the side effects of the virus, but all are working to get their message out there to the public and the importance of still taking the proper precautions.

“Why risk that chance, you know? Stay with the social distancing. It’s still out there as we’re learning. I wear my mask everywhere I go. I’m negative, but I still have that fear that it’s going to come back. I don’t want to spread it. I would never wish that upon my worst enemy.”

Founder of the COVID Long Haulers, Susie Goulding, has written a letter to the federal government in hopes of drawing much-needed support in their recovery from this virus.

She started the Facebook-based support group for individuals who are experiencing the long-term effects of COVID-19. The description for the group reads: A discussion platform to share information and stories for people affected by COVID. Available treatments, Doctor’s who are treating and any support groups you’ve found.

Goulding experienced all of the symptoms associated with the virus but due to limitations in place at the time in Ontario, she wasn’t able to be tested until weeks afterwards.

She tested negative but is experiencing numerous side effects related to the virus. The nasal swab only comes up with a positive test if it’s administered early-on.

Goulding states the doctor that administered her test explained she probably would get a negative test as she was so late in the emancipation of the virus.

“We wrote a letter to the government asking for help on three levels. We really want to be recognized, we want research, and we want rehabilitation,” stated Goulding in a phone interview from Oakville, Ontario. “We’re looking to the government to recognize us and say yes, we want to put the funds aside, we need some diligent research, and we need to offer to people who stayed at home when the government wanted to flatten the curve and we did as we were asked, and now we’re asking them to help us.”

Help that Serwatkewich says she’ll be relieved to get if and when the time comes.

“I hope that day comes. I’m hoping I’ll get better before that but who knows, nobody knows what’s going to happen. I’m just holding on hoping for a miracle one day.”