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The threat here is not that far off - which is why it is of grave importance that we push for an explanatory theory of long COVID (& post-acute infection syndrome) that can fully account for the totality of symptoms observed after an initial infection with SARS-CoV-2 despite no clinical findings of active infection
ASIDE: see my earlier post re: human psychology & deferred risk / risk aversion:
https://mastodon.social/@persagen/110707507862338608
Why people struggle to understand climate risk
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THE SCIENCE BEHIND LONG COVID
Multiple studies published in the journal Nature Communications (one published last year and one published in February of this year) explain how COVID-19 has the ability to trigger the aggregation of proteins within the human body.
The research suggests that SARS-CoV-2 can cause normal proteins to abnormally misfold.
These misfolded proteins are known as "amyloids," which are toxic to cells when they build up.
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When misfolding of a protein named "alpha-synuclein" in the nervous system occurs, the amyloid buildup this causes in a neuron can lead to the formation of what is known as a "Lewy body," which is resistant to breakdown and clearance.
The scariest thing about this? Misfolded alpha-synuclein is a hallmark of Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, multiple system atrophy, and pure autonomic failure - all neurodegenerative diseases collectively known as synucleinopathies.
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