FOR MEMBERS Get Involved

It’s a short press-release style paper, usually 1-2 pages, that affirms our stance on a Long COVID issue, responds to policy decisions, or issues a call-to-action to our community, the media, or key decision makers. Topics for statements are always member-originated, in order to most effectively voice the community’s priorities and goals.

Writing a statement supports the LCA’s goals and helps us bring about more positive change: As a community, we can amplify new research or advocacy opportunities, be more agile in responding to Long COVID news, and directly utilize our members’ experience, knowledge, and diverse skills to expand our reach.

We know how valuable the voices, backgrounds, and experience of our community is, and we want to amplify that in any way we can. Statements from members are published through LCA’s online channels, disseminated to our media contacts, and delivered directly to legislators, researchers, and medical institutions. By building a statement library together, we increase the LCA’s influence, authority, and resources…and ultimately improve the lives of Long COVID patients everywhere.

The topics listed in this quarter’s Statement Guide have been chosen by members as our top-priority issues. These range from patient self-advocacy tools to legislation petitions to provider resources, and more. Each quarter will begin a new statement cycle, when members will choose our next batch of available topics.

LCA members are welcome to write on any Long COVID issue important to them, and aren’t limited by the currently available topics. If you choose to propose a new topic, you’ll first need to submit a brief thesis statement or abstract about the issue and why the LCA should address it now.

There are lots of ways to still be involved if writing a statement is too big a commitment right now: Join a topic group to help members crowdsource info, contribute your research knowledge, proofread copy, or just offer feedback

Statements can be as involved or as quick as you make them, or as the topic demands. Whether you work with a group or as an individual, most topics don’t take more than a few hours.

Reach out to the LCA, connect with other members on our dedicated statement channel on Slack, or get involved as part of a topic group. Don’t forget to check the Statement Guide for detailed directions, resources, and examples.