post-infection syndromes are well established, and not unique to coronaviruses. It can occur after an infection with ANY pathogen, including covid-19.
after any critical illness, doesn't even have to be an infection, with an ICU stay where intubation was required, the odds are ~50% you will be left with a permanent injury for life. However even after relatively moderate infection a permanent lifelong injury may remain.
you could also end up alive, but in a wheelchair with oxygen for life.
There is a huge spectrum in between, anything from vague brainfog, properly known as executive dysfunction, to partial or total paralysis due to a neuropathy often requiring mechanical ventilation, narcolepsy, organ failures, autoimmune conditions, and so on and so on.
No doubt. I've posted this in several threads on HN already. But what I'm stating stands - people (mostly media) are starting to treat and report on "Long Covid" as if it's own disease. You are left with permanent long term issues from cold, flu, and all other infections.
Long covid has yet to be scientifically proven.