The "Encouraging Masks for All Act of 2020" is from Senators Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut). At a time when a third of the states do not have any mask mandates, the senators say they want to "encourage states to require the use of face masks in all public spaces and outside when one cannot maintain social distance."
Twila Brase, RN and president/co-founder of Citizens' Council for Health Freedom, does not support the measure.
"Our organization does not support a national mask mandate," she declares. "In fact, there is plenty of evidence that shows that masks not only do not work, but they can cause people to feel unnecessarily safe, and they also can cause people to contaminate themselves," Brase tells One News Now.
Earlier this year, Dr. Anthony Fauci downplayed masks, saying washing hands and practicing social distancing was a better approach to combating COVID-19. Dr. Deborah Birx stated that masks might give people a false sense of security. Surgeon General Jerome Adams was also skeptical about the effectiveness of masks. All three doctors have since changed their opinion on the topic.
According to Newsweek, the states without statewide mask mandates as of November 25 include Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wyoming.
"The legislation provides an additional $5 billion to the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund, available to states who implement masking requirements," the senators say in a press release. "States can use this additional funding for efforts to prevent the transmission of the coronavirus."
Additionally, the legislation authorizes $75 million for grants to states for promotion of universal mask wearing.
"It dangles money in front of governors, encouraging them to take away the individuals' right to live, breathe, and talk freely," counters Brase.
The legislation also mandates mask use on federal property.
WILMINGTON, Del. (January 15, 2021) — The Heritage Foundation says Democrat Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus recovery plan will actually bring the American economy to a screeching halt.
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An RN says she does not support the latest push for legislation that calls for a national mask mandate.