President Biden To Protect Those With Long-Term COVID-19 Under Disability Law

President Joe Biden announced on Monday that long-term COVID-19 symptoms could qualify as a disability under civil rights law.

The White House publicized this new guidance on the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination. Now, the law will include COVID-19 long-haulers.

"We're bringing agencies together to make sure Americans with long COVID who have a disability have access to the rights and resources that are due under the disability law, which includes accommodations and services in the workplace and school, and our health care system so they can live their lives in dignity," Biden said.

Today marks the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act — a landmark bill I proudly cosponsored in the Senate. While we celebrate the incredible progress we’ve made toward meeting the full aspirations of the ADA, we must recommit to the work that remains.
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 26, 2021

People who experienced long-haul COVID-19 have already recovered from the virus and are no longer transmissible. However, they continue to experience symptoms up to months later, such as brain fog, fatigue and shortness of breath.

The departments of Health and Human Services, Justice, Education and Labor released guidelines on how individuals experiencing long-term symptoms could qualify for federal protections and resources.

"Individualized assessment is necessary to determine whether a person’s long Covid condition or any of its symptoms substantially limits a major life activity," HHS said in their guidance.

If approved, individuals could receive accommodations in the workplace, school, housing and healthcare.