SCR 8

R-278  Page 1 of 1
2026
No. R-278. Senate concurrent resolution recognizing March 2026 as International
Long COVID Awareness Month in Vermont.
                                         (S.C.R.8)
  Offered by Committee on Health and Welfare,
   Whereas, in May 2023, the World Health Organization terminated its COVID-19
emergency, but according to the Yale School of Medicine, over 20 million Americans live
with the long-term effects of the COVID-19 virus, a malady known as long COVID, and
this situation represents a major public health and economic challenge, and
   Whereas, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine define long
COVID as “an infection-associated chronic condition (IACC) that occurs after SARS-
CoV-2 infection and is present for at least 3 months as a continuous, relapsing and
remitting, or progressive disease state that affects one or more organ systems,” and
   Whereas, there are more than 200 long COVID symptoms, including “persistent fatigue,
post-exertional malaise, brain fog, and sleep disturbance … similar to those reported by
people with ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome) and other
multi-system chronic complex diseases (msCCD),” and other symptoms can include
changes in smell and taste, chest pain, coughing, pins and needles sensations, and a fast-
beating or pounding heart, and
   Whereas, in 2023, the International Long COVID Awareness (ILCA) organization
designated March as International Long COVID Awareness Month and March 15 as
International Long COVID Awareness Day to educate the public on the societal
implications of long COVID, and
  Whereas, in 2026, International Long COVID Awareness Month will “focus on the
impacts of SARS-CoV-2 and Long COVID on the heart & cardiovascular system,” and
  Whereas, among the topically specific dates associated with International Long COVID
Awareness Month are Long COVID: Every Heartbeat Counts (March 7), International
Long COVID Awareness Week (March 9–15), Disability Support for People with Long
COVID (March 16–22), and Long COVID in Children (March 23–31), and
   Whereas, raising the importance of long COVID awareness in Vermont is of the utmost
urgency, now therefore be it
  Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
  That the General Assembly recognizes March 2026 as International Long COVID
Awareness Month in Vermont, and be it further
   Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to
the Vermont Commissioner of Health.
                                                                           VT LEG #388389 v.1