Nefer, Sinuhe and clinical research assessing post COVID-19 condition

In the immortal classical novel by Finnish writer Mika Waltari (1908–1979) (figure 1), Nefer, a beautiful and cunning Egyptian courtesan, seduces and befools Sinuhe, the pharaoh's physician. Sinuhe is bewitched by her charms and sacrifices everything for her – even his parents’ house and grave – only to be cruelly rejected when Nefer tires of playing with him. Clinical research studies reporting on post COVID-19 condition should follow some basic recommendations J.B. Soriano is Senior Consultant at the COVID-19 Clinical Management Team, WHO Health Emergency Programme, World Health Organization HQ, Geneva, Switzerland.