13/04/2026
“I because I don’t want to become further disabled by another infection.”—Behind the N95 respirator is Melissa Mazur , who’s a first wave COVID long hauler, who got sick in March 2020 and never got better.
“I was young, very active, and healthy when I got sick and could not have foreseen how brutal Long COVlD would be for me. In addition to heart issues, I have now developed POTS/Dysautonomia and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.) as well. While I am fortunate to have regained some baseline by finally finding therapeutics that worked for me, I do not want to erase those gains and reduce my functionality further. I enjoy walking around Philly—my hometown which I love—and which my recent baseline increases have made it easier to do. As research has shown, another reinfection could further disable me.”
An advocate for prevention, health equity, and Long COVlD, Melissa shares her perspective to raise awareness with .
“I see my mask as an important tool in my advocacy as well—whether I’m attending a hearing on the Hill organized by Long COVlD Campaign ‘LCCampaign’, working with to raise awareness about M.E., or networking at a professional event—my mask is a reminder that we need to be thinking about sustainable solutions to curtail this current pandemic and prevent future ones. There are so many structural changes we can make like implementing clean air infrastructure, requiring masks in healthcare settings to mitigate transmission (like we do with hand washing), and providing workers with paid sick leave or remote work options—all of which can create a healthier, more inclusive society for all.”
