“I #MaskUp because I am immunocompromised. I am a voice actor for animation, audio books and video games. I don’t want to get sick. I also want to protect others. It’s the right thing to do.” —Helen Laser, @newyorkcomiccon.bsky.social panelist.
📸: @msjulieslam.bsky.social #IAmNYCC
![The PET image was modified from an image presented in Parkinson’s News Today article: “New Brain PET Scanner Shows Promise for Earlier and Less Expensive Diagnosis of Parkinson’s”. Julie enhanced the color, contrast and saturation of the brain scan with a green tone to tie in with the Long COVID educational campaign. The annotation title reads: “Long COVID Brain
- Research shows persistent brain inflammation and damage involving the dopamine system—a potential biomarker for Neuro Long COVID phenotype.”
Modified-Image Source: [https://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/news/new-pet-scanner-potentially-provides-earlier-diagnosis-dementia-parkinsons/]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:gioridukdc4udijly543nbob/bafkreigocqy54g4ztokpk54pvg6k4e2s2yubmlyxolpn4ocjxw3jusywzm)
![A collage that depicts a 100% imaginary Post-Viral Fungal Takeover, with the annotation’s title in white: Long COVID: Is Fungal Infection a hidden driver?
—The Upper Lung: A physical, dense mycetoma (fungal ball) occupying a cavitary structural injury left behind by COVID-19.
—The Right Lung: Pink/orange Histoplasma nodes breaking free from collapsing granulomas.
—The Left Lung (Branching): An intricate maze of Aspergillus hyphae tunneling into blood vessels.
—The Left Lung (Clustered): Budding aggregates of Candida auris subverting immune cleanup.
The core intention of this image is to visually represent the systemic puzzle of Long COVID. It illustrates the profound frustration shared by patients and researchers alike, navigating a highly heterogeneous maze of chronic symptoms. By superimposing hyper-detailed biological structures over a dark, obscured background, the collage highlights that while standard clinical testing remains in a total 'blind spot,' an intricate, highly active microenvironment is altering the patient's internal biology. The lungs act as the primary battleground where acute viral injuries transition into chronic, hidden pathological drivers.
Julie made the collage by modifying and superimposing images credited to:
—Max Healthcare. Source: [https://www.maxhealthcare.in/blogs/histoplasmosis-symptoms]
—Dr Mohan Venkatesh Pulle. Source: [ https://drmohanvenkateshpulle.com/chest-programs/aspergilloma/ ]
—National Nurses United. Source: [https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/c-auris-what-nurses-need-to-know]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:gioridukdc4udijly543nbob/bafkreih5biafiflq2x2u6ubr7znwaqhtdsb727pelgydazkfgxzfr3kdmm)
![Title: Current U.S. COVlD Trend (Source: CDC)
[https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data/activity-levels.html]
CDC data as of Aug 4, 2026 shows COVID-19 transmission growing or likely growing in 44 states, with increased test positivity and emergency department visits nationwide.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:gioridukdc4udijly543nbob/bafkreie5lbwyofhffo44xg6azsmxntctii53oie6z2u2o6roo7witidyj4)
