Bill Text: NJ AR157 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Encouraging residents and businesses to hang lights to honor healthcare workers and promote "#LightTheFight" campaign.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-05-07 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee [AR157 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-AR157-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman BENJIE E. WIMBERLY
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Encouraging residents and businesses to hang lights to honor healthcare workers and promote "#LightTheFight" campaign.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution encouraging residents and businesses to hang lights to honor healthcare workers in the "#LightTheFight" campaign.
Whereas, On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus 2019, also known as COVID-19, a global pandemic; and
Whereas, The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the life of every resident of New Jersey, causing the State to enter a state of emergency and to declare a public health emergency, with thousands of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths and many residents affected by disrupted economic and social activity; and
Whereas, COVID-19 is highly contagious and can be deadly, with 20 percent of those infected requiring hospitalization and five percent requiring critical care, according to the United States Center for Disease Control; and
Whereas, Frontline healthcare workers, including doctors, physician assistants, nurses, respiratory therapists, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and support staff, put themselves at risk of exposure in order to care for COVID-19 patients; and
Whereas, Shortages of healthcare workers in this unprecedented crisis have caused many healthcare workers to work extra shifts and longer hours in difficult and dangerous conditions; and
Whereas, It is important to recognize the day-to-day sacrifices and heroism of our healthcare workers in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, urgent care sites, ambulances, and testing centers; and
Whereas, Many residents and businesses in New Jersey would like to shine a light on the tireless dedication, bravery, and service of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
Whereas, Communities across the State of New Jersey are encouraging residents and businesses to "Light The Fight," which celebrates the heroism of healthcare workers by hanging a string of lights, or placing bright lanterns or flameless candles in front of their homes or places of business; and
Whereas, The lights reflect the community's appreciation for these heroic health care workers and those workers' dedication to the well-being of our communities; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House recognizes all frontline healthcare workers as "Healthcare Heroes" for their dedicated heroism and bravery in their work to fight COVID-19.
2. This House encourages all residents and businesses in the State to hang a string of lights, or place bright lanterns or flameless candles on their property. All residents and businesses are also encouraged to take photos of their lights and post the photos on social media with the hashtag "#LightTheFight."
3. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Commissioner of Health.
STATEMENT
This resolution encourages residents and businesses to hang lights in front of their homes and places of business to honor healthcare workers battling on the frontlines against the COVID-19 pandemic. This resolution promotes the "#LightTheFight" public awareness campaign that aims to shed light on the sacrifice and heroism of healthcare workers working in dangerous and difficult conditions to treat patients with COVID-19.
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus 2019, also known as COVID-19, a global pandemic. COVID-19 is highly contagious and can be deadly. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of every resident of New Jersey, causing the State to enter a state of emergency and to declare a public health emergency, with thousands of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths and many residents affected by disrupted economic and social activity.
Frontline healthcare workers put themselves at risk of exposure in order to care for COVID-19 patients. Shortages of healthcare workers in this unprecedented crisis has caused many healthcare workers to work extra shifts and longer hours in difficult and dangerous conditions.
It is important to recognize the day-to-day sacrifices and heroism of our healthcare workers. Many residents and businesses in New Jersey would like to shine a light on the tireless dedication, bravery, and service of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lights reflect the community's appreciation for our heroic health care workers and those workers' dedication to the well-being of our communities.
This resolution encourages all residents and businesses in the State to hang lights on their property. All residents and businesses are also encouraged to take photos of their lights and post them to social media with the hashtag "#LightTheFight."
