We Just Got More Evidence That Long COVID Is a Brain Injury
The exact nature of long COVID is still coming to light, but we just got some of the best evidence yet that this debilitating condition stems from a brain injury.
Using high-resolution scanners, researchers at the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford have shown microscopic, structural abnormalities in the brainstems of those recovering from COVID-19.
Signs of brain inflammation were present up to 18 months after first contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
"We show that the brainstem is a site of vulnerability to long-term effects of COVID-19, with persistent changes evident in the months after hospitalization," the authors of the study conclude.
https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awae215
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COVID makes you dumber, but what happens if you start out dumb?
The current administration awards you a place in office.
You get an overflow error and become a genius.
Even lower intelligence score? As far as D&D rules are concerned, you would get knocked unconscious if your intelligence drops to zero.
Should probably also limit new max intelligence after you regain consciousness. That seems to be the case IRL.
Sounds like a fun (and terrifying) idea for homebrew rules. I asked Mistral to write suitable rules, and here's what what I ended up with.
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When a character contracts COVID-19, they must make a Constitution saving throw (DC 15). On a failed save, the character develops Long COVID. The effects of Long COVID are varied and can include fatigue, shortness of breath, and other physical ailments. However, the most feared complication is brain injury.
Brain Injury
Brain injury from Long COVID reduces a character's Intelligence score. To determine the extent of the damage, the character must make a roll based on their current Intelligence score:
Roll a d20: The result of this roll will determine the severity of the brain injury. Modify the Roll: Subtract the character's Intelligence modifier from the roll. For example, if the character has an Intelligence score of 14 (modifier +2), subtract 2 from the d20 roll. Determine Intelligence Loss:
New Hard Maximum
Once the Intelligence loss is determined, the character's new Intelligence score becomes their hard maximum for the rest of the game. This means that even with magical healing, potions, or other means of restoring Intelligence, the character cannot exceed this new maximum.
Oh, wait. That means that if you do drop to zero, you'll be in permanent coma for the rest of the game without any hope of recovery. I guess I should add some exception, that allows to you recover back to 1 point, but no higher than that.
There is no floor except the for the artificial one built out of privilege.