by M.C. Millman

In new, last-minute legislation, Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara requested yesterday that the State fund scholarships for New York children whose parent, caregiver, or sibling died or became disabled because of Covid.

According to Covid Survivors for Change, the new legislation, if enacted, could help 15,000 New York children who lost a parent, caregiver, or sibling to the disease. 

Given that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 8% of American adults suffer from symptoms of long COVID-19 and other serious health issues caused by Covid, the legislation could help thousands more. 

COVID Survivors for Change was also behind the push to persuade lawmakers to support the measure yesterday during budget negotiations. The group is also backing legislation to create baby bonds, or childhood savings accounts, for children whose parents or caregivers died from COVID.