Advocates Urge NYC’s Health Leadership to Address Needs of Chronically Ill New Yorkers, Including those with Post-COVID-19 Illnesses Amidst Pandemic

 The COVID-19 Working Group of New York, of which Coalition for the Homeless is a Member, Highlights Growing Concern of COVID-19’s Public Health Impacts and Issues Recommendations for Helping Vulnerable New Yorkers with Chronic Diseases and Post-COVID-19 Illnesses

NEW YORK, NY – Yesterday, the COVID-19 Working Group of New York, including Coalition for the Homeless, sent a letter requesting a meeting with New York City’s health leadership to discuss recommendations regarding post-COVID-19 care and the chronic disease impact of the pandemic. Expert clinical care will be crucial in helping New Yorkers, including those without homes, deal with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the likelihood of a possible “second wave” of community infection in the coming months.

“If New York wants to emerge from COVID-19 and move toward recovery, health officials must take comprehensive action, grounded in the principles of public health and human rights, to protect those with chronic diseases from the insidious novel coronavirus, and help those already infected but suffering with long-term symptoms. More than 1,400 homeless New Yorkers have tested positive for COVID-19, and many will require support as they recover, whether from mild or serious illness. It is crucial that we do all we can to protect those with chronic illnesses from the virus, that we gain an understanding of the long-term effects of COVID-19, and that we ensure access to expert care to support the health and recovery for those infected with the virus,” said Shelly Nortz, Deputy Executive Director for Policy at Coalition for the Homeless.

The COVID-19 Working Group’s letter requests that health officials implement adequate systems and programs to ensure public health data tracking and expert-informed clinical guidelines, ongoing clinical education, wide distribution of culturally appropriate consumer-facing public health education materials, peer support and education programs within each Center for Excellence, and tele-health services to enable patients to access technology and health care services.

To see the full letter and blog from the Coalition, click here.

 

READ THE LETTER