1.0" ?> 20250HR__000999INT 99 INTRODUCED 2025-01-14 REVISED 2025-03-13 2025 0 HR 9 INT Introduced by Assembly Member Lackey (Coauthors: Assembly Members Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Haney, Harabedian, Hoover, Jackson, Kalra, Krell, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Quirk-Silva, Ransom, Rivas, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Tangipa, Wallis, Wicks, Wilson, and Zbur) LEAD_AUTHOR ASSEMBLY Lackey COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Addis COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Aguiar-Curry COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Alanis COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Alvarez COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Arambula COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Ávila Farías COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Bains COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Bauer-Kahan COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Bennett COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Berman COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Boerner COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Bonta COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Bryan COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Calderon COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Caloza COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Carrillo COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Castillo COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Chen COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Connolly COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Davies COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Dixon COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Elhawary COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Ellis COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Flora COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Fong COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Gabriel COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Gallagher COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Gipson COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Jeff Gonzalez COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Mark González COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Haney COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Harabedian COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Hoover COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Jackson COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Kalra COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Krell COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Lowenthal COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Macedo COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY McKinnor COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Muratsuchi COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Nguyen COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Pacheco COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Papan COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Patel COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Patterson COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Pellerin COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Quirk-Silva COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Ransom COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Rivas COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Celeste Rodriguez COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Michelle Rodriguez COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Rogers COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Blanca Rubio COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Sanchez COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Schiavo COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Schultz COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Sharp-Collins COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Solache COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Soria COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Stefani COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Ta COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Tangipa COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Wallis COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Wicks COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Wilson COAUTHOR ASSEMBLY Zbur Relative to Long COVID Awareness Day. Long COVID Awareness Day

WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of individuals globally, leading to unprecedented health, social, and economic challenges; and

WHEREAS, While many individuals recover from COVID-19 within weeks, a significant number of people experience lingering symptoms and complications that persist for months, commonly referred to as Long COVID or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC); and

WHEREAS, Long COVID manifests through a wide range of symptoms including, but not limited to, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, respiratory problems, cardiovascular issues, and mental health challenges, impacting the quality of life and daily functioning of affected individuals; and

WHEREAS, Current research indicates that Long COVID can affect people of all ages, including children, regardless of the severity of their initial COVID-19 infection; and

WHEREAS, There is evidence that vaccination against COVID-19 significantly reduces the risk of severe illness and complications, including the likelihood of developing Long COVID; and

WHEREAS, It is crucial to continue promoting COVID-19 vaccinations to protect individuals from severe disease and to potentially mitigate the long-term impacts of the virus; and

WHEREAS, There is a critical need for increased public awareness and understanding of Long COVID to support those affected, promote early recognition, and encourage the development of effective treatments and interventions; and

WHEREAS, Health care providers, researchers, and public health officials must collaborate to improve diagnostic criteria, treatment protocols, and support systems for individuals suffering from Long COVID; and

WHEREAS, It is essential to support and advocate for Long COVID patients in their journey toward recovery, ensuring they have access to appropriate health care, rehabilitation services, and workplace accommodations; and

WHEREAS, Raising awareness about Long COVID will foster greater empathy, reduce stigma, and enhance the collective efforts to address this emerging public health challenge; and

WHEREAS, The first Monday in March marks COVID-19 Memorial Day, an opportunity for remembrance of those we lost, recognition of caregivers’ efforts, and reflection on lessons learned for future preparedness; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature urges all citizens to educate themselves about Long COVID, support those who are affected, get vaccinated against COVID-19, and contribute to the ongoing efforts to combat this condition through research, advocacy, and community engagement; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the day of March 15, 2025, is Long COVID Awareness Day; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution. REVISIONS: Heading—Line 2.