COVID-19 long haulers might be experiencing long-term changes to their genes in their airway cells, according to a new study. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein showed the changes in gene expression in the airway cells of long haulers, according to experimental biology researcher Nicholas Evans, who will present his study's findings at a virtual meeting Friday. The long-hauler symptoms of shortness of breath and dizziness can be a result of the long-term changes in the cells even after recovering from the disease.