Title: A resolution supporting mask-wearing as an important measure to limit the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution recognizes the importance of, and encourages the people of the United States to wear, face masks to limit the transmission of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 663 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 663

Supporting mask-wearing as an important measure to limit the spread of 
                the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 29, 2020

    Mr. Toomey (for himself and Mr. Bennet) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
                          Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Supporting mask-wearing as an important measure to limit the spread of 
                the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes that the spread 
        of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (referred to in this preamble as 
        ``COVID-19'') occurs primarily through respiratory droplets;
Whereas research shows that shedding of the virus that causes COVID-19 can occur 
        2 to 3 days before the onset of symptoms;
Whereas research conducted long before the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the 
        utility of wearing masks in providing protection against the 
        transmission of respiratory infections;
Whereas various types of cloth masks, including masks made of cotton, gauze, and 
        other fabrics, reduced infection rates among health care workers and 
        others during the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 and the Manchurian plague 
        of 1920 through 1921, and were used by health care workers and others to 
        protect against tuberculosis in the 1930s and 1940s;
Whereas a study published on July 9, 2008, that tested the efficacy of homemade 
        face masks in reducing respiratory infections among the general 
        population concluded that any type of general-use mask is likely to 
        decrease viral exposure and infection risk on a population level;
Whereas a study published on May 22, 2013, that attempted to test the protective 
        value of homemade masks compared to commercial masks in an influenza 
        pandemic concluded that homemade masks would be better than no facial 
        protection at all;
Whereas, on April 3, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
        recommended that the people of the United States wear nonmedical, cloth 
        masks in public places;
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that cloth face 
        coverings fashioned from household items can substantially reduce the 
        dispersion of exhaled droplets and provide acceptable breathability;
Whereas a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
        from May 11 through May 13, 2020, found that 76 percent of adults 
        support mask-wearing outside of the home;
Whereas a study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on 
        July 17, 2020, found no secondary cases of COVID-19 in 139 mask-wearing 
        clients of 2 symptomatic mask-wearing hair stylists with confirmed cases 
        of COVID-19;
Whereas the benefit of each additional cloth mask worn by members of the public 
        has been estimated to be between $3,000 and $6,000 due to the ability of 
        masks to slow COVID-19 transmission and, as a result, to decrease 
        mortality relating to the virus that causes COVID-19; and
Whereas a study published in BMJ found that mask-wearing by both infected 
        individuals and the contacts of those individuals to be 79 percent 
        effective in reducing COVID-19 transmission: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the importance of mask-wearing in limiting 
        the transmission of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (referred to 
        in this resolution as ``COVID-19'');
            (2) recognizes that medical-grade masks should be reserved 
        for use in health care settings and among vulnerable 
        populations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic;
            (3) recognizes that mask-wearing should be coupled with 
        other measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control 
        and Prevention and State and local public health agencies, 
        including frequent handwashing and physical distancing, to 
        further reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission; and
            (4) encourages the people of the United States to wear 
        masks in indoor public places, in accordance with the 
        guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and 
        Prevention, at times when physical distancing is not allowable 
        to protect against unknown transmission of COVID-19.
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