Gerald HaffnerJan 23, 2024
Augie Ray

Young, athletic, world-class ballerina. Got COVID three times with no problems. Her fourth infection has resulted in severe Long COVID. She went from being a rising star in the ballet world to now barely being able to "cook, grocery shop, shower." And she is stunned by the complacency she sees around her.

The article is behind a paywall, and while I hate to share IP like this, I think it's important people understand the risks we all face by pretending #COVID19 is gone. https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/8494576/wollongong-born-dancer-shares-her-struggle-with-long-covid/

Rising star of Australian ballet's horror nine-month battle with long COVID

The Wollongong-born dancer was in her prime before she got sick.

Illawarra Mercury
Jan 23, 2024 at 5:36pmWeb
Show threadLazarou Monkey Terror 🚀💙🌈Jan 23, 2024
@augieray Young People will never forgive those who left them exposed to a life altering virus. Why should they?
Choices were made.
Show threadI🤖RetrobotsJan 23, 2024
@augieray She got Corona THREE times? My compassion is limited.
Show threadSergioJan 23, 2024
@augieray The post does not make it clear if she took all vaccines on time or if she had her first contagion prior to the first vaccine. That information is very relevant to better understand the case.
Show threadCat C-BJan 23, 2024

@augieray I was surprised to read that being an athlete was considered to put her at increased risk of Long Covid? That is news to me, and I wonder about the mechanics of it—whether athletes are more likely to attempt to return to full activity sooner than others, and that is somehow a trigger?

If that’s accurate, I very much want to know more. I’ll keep my eyes open for more info, obviously…

(And thank you for circumventing the paywall. Much appreciated.)

Show threadAlan Langford 🇨🇦🧤🧊摏Jan 23, 2024

@augieray I'm inclined to see her as a victim of those who have allowed complacency and misinformation to dominate the discourse.

Perhaps the saddest part of this is that she may never see the day when she returns to that promising career. If she has one of the forms that degrades major organs, then she's going to need a whole new plan.

Show threadSteven BodzinJan 23, 2024

@augieray thanks for that, Augie.

If you really hate to share IP like this, please consider adding a link to the original so those who can pay have the opportunity to do so.

Show threadAugie RayJan 24, 2024
@guacamayan That's a good point. Added.
Show threadgypsyveganJan 24, 2024
@augieray Speaking from quasi-inside the ballet world (my kid is an aspiring ballerina), I can attest that as far as Ballet with a capital B is concerned, not only is covid "over", but, outside of donation pleas after such a "trying time", covid never happened. It's not only not discussed, it's actively silenced as a thing that exists/existed. And Long Covid? That's an outside-world thing, & not something they accommodate, either (for dancers, who are infinitely replaceable, or for audiences - I know of NO company offering streaming options for season ticket holders). If this girl was in The Sphere, then covid did not exist for her, & she was actively insulated from all covid reality. And I say all this as someone with zero effs left to give when it comes to people's excuses & denialist fantasies...but also know just how deaf, dumb, and blind Ballet is as of now. They're sleepwalking into the distruction and death of their art form, and refuse to get a clue. This girl is just early in the "find out" crowd.
Show threadbrickbatJan 24, 2024
@augieray republicans have politicized COVID, making our medical infrastructure unable to deal with it effectively.