Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman AURA K. DUNN
District 25 (Morris and Somerset)
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Urges federal government to provide aid to State to combat post-traumatic stress disorder due to coronavirus disease 2019.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging the federal government to provide aid to the State to combat post-traumatic stress disorder due to the coronavirus disease 2019.
Whereas, The United States faces an unprecedented public health crisis due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; and
Whereas, The Governor has declared an extended Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency due to COVID-19; and
Whereas, New Jersey has over 120,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and nearly 8,000 deaths attributable to the disease; and
Whereas, Victims of COVID-19 and their families as well as those on the frontlines of the war against COVID-19 are experiencing and witnessing death, sickness, and tragedy on a daily basis; and
Whereas, Post-traumatic stress can occur after a person experiences daily exposure to death, sickness, and tragedy; and
Whereas, Post-traumatic stress disorder is associated with chemical changes in the body’s hormonal system and autonomic nervous system, and is characterized by symptoms including flashbacks, nightmares, insomnia, avoidance, hypervigilance, anxiety, and depression; and
Whereas, While the federal government and State have devoted a great deal of resources in the war against COVID-19, additional resources are necessary to combat post-traumatic stress disorder; and
Whereas, Those who suffer from post-traumatic stress deserve the care they need to help them overcome the disorder; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House respectfully urges the President of the United States and the United States Congress to provide funding to the State to combat post-traumatic stress disorder due to the coronavirus disease 2019.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the President and Vice President of the United States, the Majority and Minority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, and to every member of the Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This bill urges the federal government to provide aid to the State to combat post-traumatic stress disorder due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The United States faces an unprecedented public health crisis due to COVID-19. The Governor has declared an extended Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency due to COVID-19. New Jersey has over 120,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and nearly 8,000 deaths attributable to the disease.
Victims of COVID-19 and their families as well as those on the frontlines of the war against COVID-19 are experiencing and witnessing death, sickness, and tragedy on a daily basis. Post-traumatic stress can occur after a person experiences daily exposure to death, sickness, and tragedy. Post-traumatic stress disorder is associated with chemical changes in the body’s hormonal system and autonomic nervous system, and is characterized by symptoms including flashbacks, nightmares, insomnia, avoidance, hypervigilance, anxiety, and depression.
While the federal government and State have devoted a great deal of resources in the war against COVID-19, additional resources are necessary to combat post-traumatic stress disorder. Those who suffer from post-traumatic stress deserve the care they need to help them overcome the disorder.