“Not Recovered” protest for Long COVID, ME, and related diseases takes over The Hague

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December 2, 2025

Demonstrations for post-acute infection syndromes including Long COVID, Lyme, and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) took place on November 30 in The Hague, Netherlands as a part of the #HetPAISProtest led by the group #NietHersteld (Not Recovered).

Thousands of people took part online and in person for the hybrid protest calling for recognition of people with these diseases, better care, appropriate policy, and long term funding of research, as funding for Long COVID is set to run out in the country this year, despite no approved treatments.

Highlighting how many people with energy limiting disabilities couldn’t attend protests in person, demonstrators arranged 100 wheelchairs on the grass field of the Malieveld with photos of people who couldn’t attend.

Some people spoke at the event from home, shared on a large screen and sound system at the event. The demonstration also included a moment of silence for those who have died from these illnesses.

The protest is part of a growing trend of demonstrations across Europe and the world over calling on governments to address infection associated diseases after decades of neglect. Protests like this also show that increasing accessibility with hybrid options allows people with more severe illness to partake in actions from home, as in person actions are not often accessible to people with severe Long COVID or related diseases.

“We hope this image will make people think,” said protest organizer Guus Liebrand to NOS News. “Because of our disabilities, we are socially invisible, and it’s easy to forget us. I hope society will rally around us.”

Photographer Jared Meijer documented the demonstration on Sunday and gave permission to The Sick Times to share his photographs.