Hi Bridget, When we feel awful it’s really easy to let our heads go to the worst case thoughts. Especially when life gets interrupted!
The prednisone should help with the inflammation that’s causing the RA symptoms. It’s an autoimmune reaction to the virus. So hopefully the prednisone settles things down and lets your body’s immune system calm itself.

There is a group dedicated to Covid Long-haulers, people who have had the virus and experiencing long term symptoms. A number of discussions include conversations related to RA and other autoimmune diseases which seemed to increase after having the virus.

https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/post-covid-recovery-covid-19/
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https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/post-covid-symptoms-1/
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https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/multiple-autoimmune-diseases-post-covid/

Usually prednisone works fairly quickly. Do you notice any change in symptoms?