Sign the petition: Send free, high-quality, N95 masks to all!
John,
Here we are, two years into the worst public health crisis in more than 100 years.
As you read this, the number of COVID-19 cases is skyrocketing to levels far greater than at any point in the crisis. Hospitalizations are on the rise. The United States—just 4% of the world’s population—once again accounts for almost 25% of the world’s coronavirus cases.1
And here is what we do know: Masks work.
Every credible scientist tells us that wearing masks is critical to saving lives and stopping the spread of COVID-19.2
We also know that not all masks are created equal.3
Our goal must be to utilize the Defense Production Act to produce and deliver high-quality, N95 masks to every person in this country. The Defense Production Act was written explicitly for times like this, and it will mandate that manufacturers put in place additional capacity to meet the needs of the public and provide assistance to companies who want to begin producing N95 masks or scale up production.
We must work with state and local governments to deliver N95 masks to homeless shelters, jails, detention centers, testing sites, post offices, pharmacies, and congregate care centers.
South Korea, one of the more successful countries in responding to the pandemic, began the process of procuring high-quality masks at the start of the pandemic and has provided them affordably to its citizens across the country.5
And they aren’t alone.
Other countries all around the world are sending masks to all of their people on a regular basis. We can—and should—do the same thing.
Does anyone want to wear a mask wherever they go? Of course not.
Is wearing a mask one of the best ways to protect ourselves—and those around us—from getting the coronavirus? Yes, the science is clear.
Masks for All.
If we know that masks work, if we know that masks save lives, then what we want to say is that we are going to provide every person in this country with N95 masks. And I think by doing that, we will not only save lives, but we will send a message to those who are skeptical that wearing a mask is very, very important.
In solidarity,
Senator Bernie Sanders
Sources:
1. "Global COVID-19 cases surpass 100 million as nations tackle vaccine shortages," Reuters, January 27, 2021
https://act.moveon.org/go/160061?t=12&akid=314681%2E40999114%2EE6dWq_
2. "N95 masks are your best mask option—here's where to buy them online," USA Today, January 11, 2022
https://act.moveon.org/go/160062?t=14&akid=314681%2E40999114%2EE6dWq_
3. "It might be time to upgrade your mask," CNN, January 12, 2022
https://act.moveon.org/go/160063?t=16&akid=314681%2E40999114%2EE6dWq_
4. Ibid.
5. "South Korea takes new measures to have enough face masks domestically amid coronavirus," ABC News, February 27, 2020
https://act.moveon.org/go/160064?t=18&akid=314681%2E40999114%2EE6dWq_
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