"The Sick Times" is a journalist-founded online platform dedicated to chronicling the global Long COVID crisis, a severe and often fatal disease affecting over 400 million people worldwide. The website's mission extends to covering related infection-associated chronic conditions like myalgic encephalomyelitis and dysautonomia, and maintaining consistent reporting on the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic without denial or minimization. Led by co-founders Miles Griffis and Betsy Ladyzhets, alongside an editorial team and an advisory board of medical and scientific experts, "The Sick Times" commits to investigative journalism, challenging powerful institutions, analyzing research and data, and providing a vital platform for those most affected by the crisis.
Summarizing "The Sick Times" Mission and Operations:
Core Mission: "The Sick Times" is a journalist-founded website launched to chronicle the Long COVID crisis, reporting on the disease that affects over 400 million people globally and can be fatal.
Comprehensive Coverage: Beyond Long COVID, the site covers related infection-associated chronic conditions such as myalgic encephalomyelitis, dysautonomia, and mast cell activation syndrome.
Unwavering Stance: Unlike many outlets, "The Sick Times" is committed to continuously reporting on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic's impact, explicitly stating "No denial, minimizing, or gaslighting here."
Journalistic Approach: The publication investigates injustices, challenges powerful institutions, analyzes the latest research and COVID-19 data, and serves as a platform for those most affected by the crisis.
Founding and Editorial Leadership:
Miles Griffis (Co-founder, Executive Editor): A journalist with lived experience of Long COVID, covering science, LGBTQ+ issues, and the disease's impact.
Betsy Ladyzhets (Co-founder, Managing Editor): A journalist focused on COVID-19 and public health, previously running the "COVID-19 Data Dispatch" and contributing to significant investigations for MuckRock.
Heather Hogan (Engagement Editor): A veteran of LGBTQ+ internet content, recognized for her essay on Long COVID in "Best American Science and Nature Writing" and a contributor to "The Long Covid Survival Guide."
James Salanga (Podcast Producer): An experienced audio journalist from NPR member stations, also co-executive director of "The Objective," a media criticism newsroom.
Expert Advisory Board: The site benefits from an advisory board composed of distinguished professionals:
Dr. Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez: An academic Physiatrist specializing in Long COVID care and research.
Julia Moore Vogel, PhD: A researcher and Patient Led Research Collaborative contributor with lived experience of Long COVID and ME.
Julie Rehmeyer: An award-winning science and mathematics journalist and author.
Ed Yong: A Pulitzer Prize-winning science journalist and bestselling author, known for his extensive coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and Long COVID.
Key Collaborations: MuckRock serves as the fiscal sponsor, and Sophie Dimitriou designed the logo and "Caladrius" mascot.
Community-Driven: The project acknowledges its debt to numerous individuals—Long COVID patients, physicians, advocates, researchers, and fellow journalists—who shaped its concept.
Support and Engagement: "The Sick Times" encourages support for independent Long COVID journalism and offers a free weekly newsletter with stories, research updates, and COVID-19 trends.