text:  COVID 19 New challenges in dysphagia and respiratory therapy Coronavirus disease 2019 COVID 19 can lead to severe disease courses with multiple organ involvement respiratory and neurological functional impairments Swallowing disorders dysphagia in this patient group can result from primary damage to the central and peripheral neuronal swallowing network but also from the frequently prolonged intensive care treatment and mechanical ventilation Clinical observations indicate persistence of dysphagia in post acute COVID 19 syndrome long COVID so that these patients probably also need long term interventions for rehabilitation of safe and sufficient oral feeding Therefore structured disease specific monitoring of dysphagia symptoms should be integrated into the treatment of COVID 19 patients and respiratory therapy should be an essential part of dysphagia management to re establish cough effectiveness and breathing swallowing coordination Challenges arise from necessary adjustments to established treatment standards to prevent infections Furthermore the selection and intensity of therapeutic measures have to be adapted to the capacities and the specific pathophysiology of COVID 19 and long COVID patients to prevent further functional deterioration 