'Complete change in our quality of life': Long COVID a burden for many Canadians

Two years after the pandemic hit, Canadians with long COVID say they often feel frustrated as they grapple with the long-term effects of the virus. Experts, meanwhile, say Canada lacks a centralized system of data collection that could help study and treat the condition.

For two years, the mother of four has been living with the post-COVID-19 condition known as long COVID, which has limited her abilities to engage in physical activity, process information and work long hours.

If she walks too fast, she starts gasping for breath. Headaches are frequent and her vision turns blurry at times. She suffers from brain fog, fatigue, memory loss and a chronic sore throat.

"I never realized how good it would be to wake up and feel like myself because I haven't done that in two years," Cover, 40, says in an interview. "When I wake up, it just seems to be worse. My head hurts, I can't think straight."

Her three daughters, who are between seven and 13, are also experiencing long COVID symptoms, including anxiety, brain fog and shortness of breath. Her son appears free of symptoms but her husband feels like he's slowed down, she says.