Friends -
Tragically, because of the inept leadership of Donald Trump, the United States is losing the struggle against the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, many thousands of our fellow Americans have unnecessarily died or become ill.
Trump has rejected science with regard to the pandemic. We will not. Together, we will fight back and implement policies based on science which will protect the health and well-being of the American people.
That's why I am urgently calling for a simple and inexpensive way to protect Americans during the coronavirus pandemic: Masks for All.
Our goal must be to manufacture and distribute high-quality masks to medical professionals and to every man, woman and child in this country at no cost. And next week, I will introduce legislation to do just that.
Before I introduce my bill in the Senate, my colleagues need to know that there is broad support for this common-sense concept which is now universally supported by the scientific community. Can I count on you to add your name to join me in this effort?
Here is what the legislation would do:
The science is clear: Wearing a mask is the best way to protect ourselves from the coronavirus and save lives, and the widespread use of masks will get Americans back to work sooner and reunite families who have stayed apart.
As the United States reports a record number of new cases — 4 million total confirmed cases announced this week — research about mask wearing shows that masks are crucial to decreasing the spread of the coronavirus. When the virus can't easily find hosts, it dies out.
South Korea, one of the more successful countries in responding to the pandemic, began the process of procuring high-quality masks in late February and provided them affordably to its citizens by partnering with pharmacies across the country. Taiwan, the Czech Republic, Germany, Vietnam and dozens of other countries have also demonstrated that as mask wearing became commonplace in public, coronavirus cases were contained. And only when the virus is contained can our society finally go back to normal.
Other countries have successfully provided masks to their people, and now it is time for the United States to do the same.
Not only will widespread mask wearing help save lives — it can help slow our growing economic crisis as well. One estimate says that widespread use of masks could be worth up to $1 trillion to our economy by preventing shutdowns and getting people back to work earlier.
To make enough high-quality masks for all Americans, this legislation requires the administration to invoke the Defense Production Act, which was written explicitly for these purposes. This will mandate that manufacturers put in place the additional capacity necessary to meet the needs of the public and provide assistance to companies who want to begin producing masks or scale up production. Communities hard hit by job losses could and should benefit greatly from these new employment opportunities.
Unfortunately, given Trump's anti-science mentality, it is absolutely clear that we cannot wait for this administration to take action. That is why we need Masks for All legislation, and that is why I am asking you directly:
Let us not forget: Our country is facing a series of unprecedented crises, but we will get through them as long as we stand together.
In solidarity,
Bernie Sanders
Paid for by Friends of Bernie Sanders
PO BOX 391, Burlington, VT 05402
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