Each citizen will have access to a free reusable mask to prevent the spread of the coronavirus if Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has his way.
A bill to be introduced by the independent senator on Tuesday would provide each citizen a free reusable face mask via delivery by the United States Postal Service to pick-up centers around the country in places such as schools and pharmacies. Masks would be available for those struggling with homelessness, college students, prisoners, and elderly people who may not have access to a face covering.
“What we want to do is say to the American people that masks are important and that we will provide every person in this country with three reusable masks, the highest quality that we can,” Sanders told CNN. “And I think by doing that, by getting masks out to every household in the country, it sends the message, which Trump should have sent many months ago, that wearing a mask is very, very important.”
Sanders’s proposal has already gained support from Democrats in Congress, including Alabama Sen. Doug Jones and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. California Rep. Ro Khanna, who co-sponsored the legislation in the House, noted that it would place more funding behind the production of N95 masks needed in hospitals for healthcare workers, as shortages are still a problem.
“If we can afford a $740 billion defense budget, we can afford to send every American a face mask,” Khanna said. “We are the wealthiest country on earth, yet our health care workers are still facing a shortage of N-95s, our essential workers are having to purchase their own protective face masks, and far too many vulnerable Americans are being left to figure out how to procure this basic need.”
