Kaine Issues Statement Following Death of One Million Americans with COVID

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement regarding the death of one million Americans with COVID:

“Most have us have either lost a loved one, or know someone who has lost a loved one, to this pandemic. Any death too soon is a tragedy, and there is something especially cruel about a virus that has robbed countless families of the rituals we often need to say goodbye, like visiting in person or attending a funeral. My heart goes out to the grieving, and I pray that you find peace.

“I’ve also been thinking a lot about how the pandemic’s long shadow includes not only our collective grief, but two other lasting challenges. First, it’s estimated that up to 30 percent of the tens of millions of Americans who have had COVID will experience long COVID symptoms, which can be debilitating. Second are the mental health impacts, including sharp increases in depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. As we reflect today on the lasting impacts of this crisis, let’s recommit ourselves to looking out for one another—especially communities of color and low-income Americans, who have been hit the hardest over the past two years—and to working together to put more resources within reach for the countless people who are struggling right now.”

Throughout the pandemic, Kaine has consistently worked to secure relief for Americans dealing with the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. In March, his bipartisan legislation named in honor of Dr. Lorna Breen, a physician from Charlottesville, Virginia who was working on the front lines of the pandemic in New York and died by suicide in the Spring of 2020, was signed into law. The legislation is designed to help reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals.

Last month, Kaine introduced the Comprehensive Access to Resources an Education (CARE) for Long COVID Act—legislation to improve research on long COVID and provide resources for people with long COVID. A key provision of the bill passed out of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee in March, and the Biden Administration recently announced new efforts to advance progress in prevention, diagnosis and treatment for people with long COVID, which includes provisions from Kaine’s bill.

###