In today’s topsy-turvy world, one can’t help but marvel at the endless parade of so-called health conditions popping up left and right. Take, for instance, the curious case of “Long COVID.” One could almost be forgiven for mistaking this condition for a pop culture trend rather than a genuine illness. After all, when one scratches beneath the surface of the hysteria, it appears more like a manifestation of anxiety than an actual health problem. It seems some folks are mistaking their nerves for a new disorder, especially when so many of them already battle existing mental health challenges.

Interestingly, the numbers tell us that women are 56% more likely to report Long COVID symptoms than men. As if that wasn’t enough to raise eyebrows, individuals identifying as transgender report having Long CO at astonishingly higher rates than your average Joe. In fact, the data suggests their rate is a whopping four times that of cisgender men and women. One might wonder, could it be that those already in a state of mental distress are keen to adopt a fresh explanation for their woes, something other than their pre-existing conditions?

Let’s face it, this isn’t the first time health authorities have pushed questionable narratives about mysterious illnesses. With such a conveniently broad definition of Long COVID, it seems that just about anyone can jump on this health bandwagon. It begs the question—shouldn’t there be some tangible, measurable test to confirm this disorder’s existence before declaring it the latest scourge upon mankind? But here we are, with an “illness” that lacks concrete diagnostics, leading the charge in today’s world fraught with emotions over evidence.

It’s absurd how far some will go to justify these unnecessary measures like mask-wearing at this point. The very idea of donning a mask in 2025, without a shred of solid scientific evidence to support its necessity, seems like something out of a bad sci-fi movie. The truth is, we’ve all been worn down by the persistent fear-mongering and overblown wastefulness of resources on junk science. Perhaps instead of concocting unfounded disorders, society should focus on genuine problems with real solutions.

This whole scenario smacks of a classic case of mass hysteria fueled by certain factions who revel in keeping the masses in a state of fear. By falling for these narratives, many have been trapped in a cycle of paranoia, rather than questioning the legitimacy of these new-fangled “illnesses.” It’s time to pull back the curtain and challenge the narratives that are fed to us. Let’s give more attention to sensible, proven measures that genuinely help, rather than living in fear of the next vague illness.