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Montgomery County proclaims May 12 Myalgic Encephalomyelitis awareness day
Summary
The Montgomery County Council issued a proclamation recognizing May 12, 2025, as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) awareness day, citing the illness’s prevalence, links with long COVID, and calls for more research and services; county officials and advocates spoke at the council meeting.
The Montgomery County Council on May 13, 2025, presented a proclamation recognizing May 12 as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome) awareness day and heard remarks from county officials and community advocates about the illness and gaps in research and services.
The proclamation outlined why the recognition matters: the document cited an estimated 1 million to 2.5 million Americans living with ME, said the condition afflicted at least 46,000 Marylanders before the COVID-19 pandemic, and stated that post-pandemic prevalence may now be between 295,000 and 340,000 Marylanders. The proclamation also said 50% to 75% of adults with ME are unable to work and estimated an annual statewide productivity loss between $319 million and $450 million.
Council President (reading remarks) described ME as “a chronic complex disease” marked by post-exertional malaise and said awareness has grown with long COVID. The council president also criticized recent federal funding reductions for medical research and said a Columbia University research center dedicated to the condition closed in March because of those cuts; that statement was made by the council president during the presentation.
Dr. Davis addressed the council after the proclamation reading and described core symptoms and impacts. “ME is far more than feeling tired,” Dr. Davis said. “It brings profound exhaustion that is not improved by rest, cognitive impairment, pain, unrefreshing sleep, and post-exertional malaise.” Dr. Davis noted some people with ME are homebound or bedbound and urged learning and support for affected residents.
Bridget Collins, identified as the chair of ME Action Maryland, thanked the council for the recognition and described the lived experience of people with ME. “We named the event ‘millions missing’ because millions of us are missing — we’re sick at home, missing from our previous lives,” Collins said, urging broader community and policy support beyond advocacy groups.
The council displayed the proclamation and members and guests posed for a photo following the presentation. The meeting then moved on to general business.
Discussion: Speakers emphasized the need for increased research funding, clinical education of frontline practitioners, and improved access to disability resources. Direction: No formal directive to staff or funding action was recorded in the transcript. Decision: The council issued the proclamation recognizing May 12, 2025, as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis awareness day (proclamation read and presented).
