'Seized by some invisible hand': What it feels like to have Havana Syndrome

[Jilly_in_VA]

In March of 2017, Tina Onufer, a career foreign service officer stationed in Havana, was standing at her kitchen window, washing dishes, when it hit her.

“I felt like I was being struck with something,” she said. “Pain that I have never felt before in my life … mostly in my head and in my eyes. … It was as if I had been seized by some invisible hand and I couldn't move.”

Onufer didn’t know it then, but she was among the first victims of a still-unexplained phenomenon that has come to be known as Havana Syndrome — a mysterious set of symptoms, some of which are linked to brain injuries, that by now have afflicted as many as 200 American diplomats, intelligence officers and other personnel around the world.

Onufer and two of her former colleagues in Havana, a married couple named Kate Husband and Doug Ferguson, spoke to NBC News about their experiences after getting permission from the State Department. They want the world to know that what happened to them in Havana caused real suffering and documentable injuries, and that those who continue to insist this must be a case of mass psychosis are wrong.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/seized-some-invisible-hand-what-it-feels-have-havana-syndrome-n1281326

[woodsprite]

1. Went to school and sang with Tina and her brother.

I certainly believe what she says about her experience and and what she has been through.

Scary stuff! Gotta figure out exactly what it is before you can defend against it.

[Blues Heron]

2. I knew there would be a Havana Syndrome post before long

Every few weeks a breathless update on HAVANA SYNDROME!!!

[Voltaire2]

3. Part of the PR campaign to stop Biden

from semi re-normalization of relations.

[Blues Heron]

4. I get a weird feeling if too much time goes by between Havana Syndrome posts

Its just a weird spidey tingle like OMFG there has been no update on Havana Syndrome in a while!

I call it Havana Syndrome Abandonment Syndrome.

[Voltaire2]

5. Seems about right

[Bev54]

6. It was likely posted because there was a new interview with people affected on NBC

The other thing to remember, it is not just American diplomats and intelligence that are being affected. Those of several other countries are also being affected. We (Canada) have had over 2 dozen cases, they just aren't releasing information on them. I think you will also find there are also those affected from European countries as well. This is not to do with political affiliation.

[Blues Heron]

7. Its like clockwork - a lull, then that spidey tingle- uh oh no Havanna Syndrome posts recently

then BAM! Havanna Syndrome post!