AR191

An Assembly Resolution raising awareness of the blood shortages caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Whereas, As an unintended consequence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the social distancing guidelines that have helped mitigate the spread of COVID-19, blood collections have been severely impacted; and

Whereas, Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 75% of the nation’s blood supply came from blood drives posted in communities at places of worship, schools, colleges, firehouses, but stay-at-home orders across the country have eliminated many of the convenient opportunities to visit a blood drive in offices or school parking lots which has reduced the number of blood drives by two-thirds; and

Whereas, Prior to the shutdown in March, New Jersey had already begun to suffer from a critical blood shortage with many citing that the busy 2019 holiday season had resulted in reduced donations; and

Whereas, In 2019, New Jersey high schools and colleges accounted for over 18 percent, or approximately 37,000 units, of total blood collections in the State; and

Whereas, From April through June 2020, only 437 units were collected at high school and college drives as compared to over 10,000 units for the same period in 2019, representing nearly a 56 percent decrease in units collected; and

Whereas, With the 2020-2021 school year still uncertain and many places of work operating remotely, the State blood supply is significantly threatened and blood collection agencies are scrambling to stabilize the blood supply; and

Whereas, Blood donations can be conducted safely despite the concerns of COVID-19 transmission, if certain precautions are taken such as scheduling appointments, requiring masks, pre-screening donors for symptoms, and taking temperatures on-site; and

Whereas, The Governor has enacted Executive Order No. 107 of 2020, which has permitted the operation of blood donation drives to continue throughout the pandemic in order to meet the critical medical needs of the State and has required that certain safety protocols are implemented to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 at blood donation sites; and

Whereas, It is in the best interest of the State to raise awareness of the critical blood shortage in the State that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and to encourage individuals to donate blood; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The Governor and the Commissioner of Health are respectfully urged to conduct a public awareness campaign on the critical blood shortage in the State. At a minimum, the public awareness campaign is respectfully urged to include: educating the public on the need for blood in the State especially during a pandemic, encouraging individuals to donate blood, identifying blood donation locations across the State, and informing individuals of the guidelines for safe blood donations that help prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Governor and the Commissioner of Health.

STATEMENT

This resolution urges the Governor and the Commissioner of Health to conduct a public awareness campaign on the critical blood shortage in the State that has been exacerbated by the reduction of blood collections due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As an unintended consequence of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and the social distancing guidelines that have helped mitigate the spread of COVID-19, blood collections have been severely impacted. Stay-at-home orders across the country have eliminated many of the convenient opportunities to visit a blood drive in offices or school parking lots, which has reduced the number of blood drives by two-thirds. Blood donations can be conducted safely, despite the concerns of COVID-19 transmission, if certain precautions are taken such as scheduling appointments, requiring masks, pre-screening donors for symptoms, and taking temperatures on-site.

At a minimum, the public awareness campaign is respectfully urged to include: educating the public on the need for blood in the State especially during a pandemic, encouraging individuals to donate blood, identifying blood donation locations across the State, and informing individuals of the guidelines for safe blood donations that help prevent the transmission of COVID-19.