COVID's Long-Term Impacts Raise Concerns Over Trump Policies

Researchers call for more funding as studies reveal virus' potential to cause chronic health issues, cognitive deficits, and more.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A growing body of research continues to reveal information about COVID-19 and its ability to cause long-term harm, even in mild cases. This raises fresh concerns about the Trump administration's policies that have curtailed efforts to study and address the virus' long-term effects. Researchers are calling for more funding and long-term monitoring as studies show COVID can lead to a range of issues, from autism in children to reactivated cancer cells.

Why it matters

The discoveries about COVID's potential for long-term harm challenge the Trump administration's narrative that the pandemic is over. Researchers say the politicization around the infection is obscuring what science is increasingly confirming: COVID's ability to cause unexpected, possibly chronic health issues that could have significant economic and societal implications, such as higher healthcare costs and more demands on social programs and caregivers.

The details

Studies have found COVID infection can result in heightened health risks months to more than a year later, including possible increased risk of autism, delayed speech and motor development, accelerated weight gain in infants, cognitive deficits, and reactivation of dormant cancer cells. Researchers say avoiding severe COVID during pregnancy may reduce risks not just during pregnancy but for future generations. The virus can also lead to an immune response that triggers brain inflammation, damage to brain cells, and shrinkage of brain volume.

  • In May 2023, federal officials declared an end to the national COVID pandemic.
  • In May 2026, the Trump administration said the CDC would stop recommending COVID shots for healthy children and pregnant women.

The players

Michael Osterholm

An epidemiologist who directs the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.

Andrea Edlow

An associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School.

Ziyad Al-Aly

A clinical epidemiologist who has studied longer-term health effects from COVID.

Diane Yormark

A 67-year-old resident of Boca Raton, Florida, who got COVID in 2022 and 2023 and experienced brain fog and fatigue.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Health and Human Services Secretary who has reduced access to COVID vaccines despite lack of evidence of harm.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“People forget, but the legacy of COVID is going to be long, and we are going to be learning about the chronic effects of the virus for some time to come.”

— Michael Osterholm, Epidemiologist

“There are other body symptoms apart from the developing fetal brain that also may be impacted. We definitely need more research.”

— Andrea Edlow, Associate Professor

“People get COVID-19, some people do fine and bounce back, but there are people who start experiencing problems with memory, cognition, and fuzzy brain. Even people with mild symptoms. They might not even be aware.”

— Ziyad Al-Aly, Clinical Epidemiologist

“I felt like if you had a little bit too much wine the night before and you're out of it. Some of the fog has lifted. But do I feel like myself? Not like I was.”

— Diane Yormark

“Updating CDC guidance and expanding shared clinical decision-making restores informed consent, centers parents and clinicians, and discourages 'one size fits all' policies.”

— Emily Hilliard, HHS Spokesperson

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.