I'm a freelancer with no medical coverage it's important for us to hustle to get new clients, and follow up on our current roster but when grappling with long Covid for 8 months - an unforeseen situation that has left me battling chronic fatigue and severe depression, among other debilitating symptoms. This is inevitably going to affect our pay scale and quality of work. I'm slowly on the road to recovery but also still unable to walk more the 10 mins most days and sadly covid is on the rise again...when Paxlovid was available it would help fight off the infection and in some cases actually cure those with Long Covid. In some ways it's people with Long Covid's only defense against it. 

Given the nature of covid and having Long Covid, there is a risk of getting long covid again.

There are countless others like me, struggling to hold onto normality while our bodies and minds decline. Our beacon of hope in this troubling time was Paxlovid, a treatment known for its effectiveness against Covid-19. Sadly, government funding for Paxlovid has been withdrawn and the price per dose has soared to over $1200, making it financially inaccessible for many of us in dire need of it. 

There are millions of others in Canada dealing with long Covid, desperate for a lifeline. Everyone should have equal access to potentially life-saving treatments regardless of their financial status.

By making Paxlovid affordable, we not only stand to improve the lives of suffering individuals, but also reduce the strain on our already overwhelmed healthcare system. If everyone who needed it could access Paxlovid, we might see fewer long-term Covid-19 patients, fewer hospital admissions, and a faster road to recovery, and, consequently, to economic revival. The benefits could be immeasurable.

Not being able to afford a path to recovery  Make this medicine accessible, make it affordable – let us reclaim our lives from this insidious virus. Sign this petition to reinstate government funding for Paxlovid or otherwise ensure its affordability for all who need it.