This petition has been covered by the Daily Mail and an ABC spokesperson has responded to our criticisms with the following statement:

'The segment of Coronacast discussing exercise therapies as a form of treatment clearly communicated that this is a controversial area,' the spokesperon said.

'There is evidence to suggest that gradually increasing activity under careful guidance, without going too far too fast, along with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, can be helpful for some CFS patients. 

'This is different from increasing exercise inflexibly, by fixed increments, which is not widely recommended. 

'Dr Swan’s comments were consistent with other public health communication on this issue, for example from the Victorian Department of Health,' the spokesperson said.

There is obviously some nuance to this debate, which I would like to acknowledge. If it is safe for you to do so, movement is always going to have a positive effect on your body. None of us *want* to live a sedentary lifestyle. We all miss the days where we could exercise and live active lives. The repercussions of ME/CFS can also be so devastating that some of us will seek out mental health support to help us navigate our illness. This is a secondary support system and by no means can mental health support "cure" us of ME/CFS.

At the risk of speaking on behalf of the over 1, 200 people who have signed this petition, I would like to personally offer the following "off ramp" to Dr. Swan in the interest of mediating an outcome for all of us. There is very real damage that has been inflicted upon peoples lives by people who have perpetuated stigmas around ME/CFS for decades (everything from labelling it as "hysteria" to "yuppie flu"). I am seeking a commitment from him that further commentary around ME/CFS is made in good faith, consistent with medical evidence and with a view to minimising the very real stigma that has been perpetuated over the years by bad actors, some of whom are represented by the medical community.

If Dr. Swan is interested in offering an olive branch to the ME/CFS community, a good start would be to have a guest on the podcast who has a lived experience with ME/CFS and can provide a genuine account of how their life has been impacted by this terrible illness. Part of the problem is that Dr. Swan has simply peppered a couple of episodes with cursory references to ME/CFS that barely run 60 seconds. His sound bites offer no nuance, insights or dimension. This is particularly egregious given how ME/CFS intersects with Long COVID and the fact that Coronacast is, at least in name, entirely devoted to COVID-19 and the repercussions on the community.

There is a substantive discussion to be had about ME/CFS, Long COVID and what therapies do and do not work. Dr. Swan, in his podcast and in his statement to the Daily Mail, has yet to meaningfully engage.

The opportunity rests entirely with him. I hope he chooses to do so.

Link to the Daily Mail article - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12596117/Norman-Swan-outrage-endorsing-graded-exercise-therapy-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-long-Covid-sufferers.html