With a focus on implementation of the legislation passed with your help, there is an update on the local implementation of Gio's Law. The law allows training and stocking for first responders in New York State for cities, towns, and villages of less than 1 million. The allergy community was very excited when it signed into law in late 2019. However, we'll need to address some of the pushback implementation has received at the local level.
As reported by Candice Ferrett for Newsday on October 30th*, first responders in towns in Suffolk and Nassau counties are asking that local legislation not be passed until their liability and police training concerns are addressed by the state law. County health officials also cite ambiguous "logistical and medical issues."
Georgina Cornago, the primary driver of this law in response to the death of her son Giovani resulting from untreated anaphylaxis reaction, is rightly outraged. The buck passing between legislators at the town and county levels, and police unions serves to throw sand in the wheels of the momentum maintained built by Ms. Cornago. Required broad-based stocking of non-patient-specific epinephrine is already law in child care centers in New York State, due to the passage of Elijah's Law. If child care centers can be required to stock epinephrine, all first responders should be as well.
The frustration at this stalled implementation is ongoing. Legislators and other advocates are determined to clear the issues raised by these concerns to ensure all first responders hear the same message and are equipped to save anyone in an anaphylactic emergency, every time.
* Newsday subscribers can access the article. All others need to pay for access.
