In Australia, it’s estimated that 250,000 people suffer from myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), a condition characterised by overwhelming tiredness and physical exhaustion. 

Despite its debilitating effects, research into ME/CFS has been serially underfunded, and it’s often been dismissed as psychosomatic.

But now, we are beset with a new disease that bears striking similarities: long COVID. And ME/CFS advocates say we are in danger of repeating the same mistakes.  

Today, Science editor Liam Mannix joins Kate Aubusson to discuss long COVID, and how it could actually reframe the way we think about other chronic illnesses.