Senator Sue Serino (R, C, I—Hyde Park) announced today that her bill to create a Lyme Disease prevention and education program for school-aged children was given final passage in the Senate.
“Because our children spend so much time exploring the outdoors, and because they may not know how to identify a tick, let alone alert their parents should they find one, they are especially vulnerable when it comes to contracting Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases (TBDs),” said Senator Serino, who Chairs the Senate’s Taskforce on Lyme and TBDs.
“Early education and prevention are key. These diseases are especially dangerous if they go undetected for long periods of time, so it is critical that we give our kids the tools they need to recognize a tick and teach them what to do should they find one. This bill is about empowering our young people by giving them the information they need to keep themselves safe when they’re enjoying the outdoors.”
The bill (S. 5804A) would specifically require the Commissioners of the Departments of Health (DOH) and Education, as well as the Department of Environmental Conservation to collaborate on developing age-appropriate instructional materials to promote education and awareness for school-aged children to protect them from Lyme and TBDs.
Senator Serino went on to explain that the bill was written in direct response to a demonstrated need in her local community, “Last year, I wrote to local school districts and offered free brochures on Lyme and TBDs for their students to take home and share with their families. The response was overwhelming—within days, thousands upon thousands of brochures had been requested. It is clear that there is a need for information on Lyme and TBDs in our schools and now, it is more important than ever to ensure that those materials are age-appropriate so our children can get as much out of them as possible.”
The bill which passed unanimously in the Senate is sponsored in the Assembly by Assemblywoman Didi Barrett.
“Raising awareness about the prevention, risks, and signs of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases is essential to fighting this devastating epidemic in our region and across the state,” said Assemblymember Barrett. “The impacts of Lyme can be debilitating and as we begin the summer outdoor season it is critical that people learn how to properly protect themselves.”
The bill has been sent to the Governor.
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THIS MEANS NOTHING! Hey I’m all for anything for Lyme+ Disease…but…when it will do nothing…or anything past and present has done NOTHING…and those who make sure Lyme Victims or soon to be Lyme Victims get NOTHING…there’s a problem!
I was infected back in 08 and due to a local Health Care facility, NOT doing it’s job…didn’t even follow the old corrupt Guidelines..I had all the tell tale stuff like the bullseye and the tick..that tested positive! The place did NOTHING..told me to come back in 6 months if issues…I did, I ended up going to a LLMD for years in order to get my life back. Savings and Retirement gone! But…I was so much better. This past Sept I missed that tiny tiny tick during an intence tick check…got the bullseye(most dont)….I had no choice but to go back to this place of Health Care Hell….no money left for LLMD…insurance accepts this Health place of Hell…Ended up seeing the same IDSA Oathless Doctor as last time, figured he grew up, understood the most current National Clearing House Guidelines…….HE REFUSED to follow them..even after asking for a copy of them! Due to his negalgence I got severe Lyme Bells Palsy, with pain behind the ear…the same place different Doctor REFUSED to follow the new Guidelines even after I mentioned what the LLMD did for me in the past!!! So forgive me…but I see this Bill doing NOTHING unless hundreds to thousands of Oathless Doctors go to JAIL!