Long Covid Risk Higher with Delta Infection

Photo by Kinga Cichewicz on Unsplash

“The odds of reporting fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating and other persistent symptoms were 50% lower following infections likely caused by the omicron BA.1 variant than those likely caused by the delta strain, the Office for National Statistics said in a report Friday. The difference was found only among adults who were double vaccinated when infected. Among those who were triple vaccinated, the difference wasn’t statistically significant.”

Just a single data point but this kind of information will likely be important for Social Security disability claims adjudication.

Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Pay Benefits to Terminally Ill

Sen. John Barrasso

When a person applies and is approved for Social Security disability benefits, there is typically a five-month waiting period from the date one becomes disabled to the date benefits can begin. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., introduced legislation (S. 4133) on May 4th to "provide for phased-in payment of Social Security Disability Insurance payments during the waiting period for individuals with a terminal illness."

The bill has nine co-sponsors: Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, Christopher Coons, D-Del., Margaret Wood Hassan, D-N.H., Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt., Cynthia M. Lummis, R-Wyo., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Jack Reed, D-R.I. The bill has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

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Sen. Tim Kaine and Long Covid

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A good read in Time on Tim Kaine’s experience with Long Covid and his concerns that research continue into understanding the disease and that public support for those suffering debilitating symptoms be provided.

“Kaine says he experiences near-constant nerve tingling, like ‘every nerve ending has had five cups of coffee,’ as well as intermittent hot sensations on his skin. In a more recent development, everything he eats now tastes both a little metallic and a little sweet—the latter, he jokes, is appropriate for an optimist. . . . More than 200 symptoms have been linked to Long COVID, but some of the most common include fatigue, brain fog, chronic pain, and neurological issues like Kaine’s.”

Senators Introduce Legislation to Update SSI Limits

Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced legislation this week to increase the asset limits for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries. Currently, the 8 million Americans who receive SSI benefits are limited to $2000 in assets, $3000 for married couples. The average monthly benefit is $585.

The legislation would increase the limits, last revised in 1984 (!), to $10,000 for individuals and $20,000 for married couples and index them to inflation going forward.