FROM THE PRESIDENT:

We’ve been working hard to advocate on behalf of people affected by COVID-19, and I’m excited to share our most recent progress with you in today’s newsletter! We have engaged significantly with policy proposals in California, with great results so far. We’ve also launched our first fundraising campaign, running now through December 31, 2022. Keep reading to learn more!

ADVOCACY UPDATES

CA AB 2098

On September 30, 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2098 into law. This new law authorizes the California state medical boards to discipline physicians and surgeons for professional misconduct if they knowingly spread misinformation or disinformation about COVID-19. California is the first state in the nation to enact such a law.

Pandemic Patients offered testimony in support of AB 2098 during a legislative hearing convened by the California Senate’s Committee on Business, Professions, and Economic Development. Once the bill passed the California legislature, we also urged Gov. Newsom to sign the bill into law.

LEARN MORE

Pandemic Patients Submits Testimony in Support of CA AB 2098

June 20, 2022

California Enacts New Law to Regulate COVID-19 Misinformation

October 3, 2022

Cal/OSHA General Industry Safety Orders

On July 29, 2022, the California Department of Industrial Relations Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (Cal/OSHA) proposed General Industry Safety Orders that clarify employers’ responsibilities for maintaining safe operations during the coronavirus pandemic.

Pandemic Patients submitted a letter of support for the proposed Safety Orders and delivered remarks at the public hearing convened by Cal/OSHA on Sept. 15, 2022. Cal/OSHA then amended the proposed Safety Orders and issued a 15-day notice for public comments. On Oct. 31, 2022, Pandemic Patients joined with COVID Survivors for Change, Long COVID Families, and Survivor Corps to submit a letter of support for the amended Safety Orders. The Safety Orders may be implemented by Jan. 1, 2023, subject to final action by the agency.

LEARN MORE

Pandemic Patients Submits Letter of Support for California's Proposed Workplace Safety Standards

September 14, 2022.

COVID-19 Advocacy Groups Issue Letter of Support for California's Proposed Workplace Safety Standards

November 1, 2022.

STAFF UPDATES

Pandemic Patients has partnered with Quinnipiac University School of Law to provide law students the opportunity to spend a semester with us while earning credit towards their law degree. Pandemic Patients provides mentorship to interns while helping to advance their legal research, analysis, and writing skills. Our interns also enjoy the opportunity to learn about public interest legal work, government relations, and nonprofit management.

If you are currently a law student and you are interested in an internship with Pandemic Patients, please email Andrew Wylam.

Welcoming

Sarah Leone

During the Fall 2022 semester, Sarah Leone joined Pandemic Patients as a legal intern. Sarah is a third-year law student at Quinnipiac University School of Law.

Sarah is enjoying the opportunity to learn about workers' compensation, disability rights, nonprofit management, and how to advocate on behalf of people affected by COVID-19 and long COVID.

EVENTS

On November 9, 2022, we launched our Long COVID Disability Justice 2022 campaign. The goal of this campaign is to raise awareness about the disabling long-term symptoms of COVID-19 and to support the expansion of our programs next year. If you have been affected by COVID-19 or long COVID, we invite you to participate in the campaign as a peer-to-peer fundraiser and to share it with the people in your network. Be sure to look for additional emails from us about this campaign!

GET INVOLVED