2 New England Senators Introduce 'Encouraging Masks For All Act'

Two Democratic U.S. senators from New England have reportedly introduced legislation aiming to reward states for encouraging mask-wearing.

Senators Ed Markey, of Massachusetts, and Richard Blumenthal, of Connecticut introduced the Encouraging Masks for All Act, which would provide an additional $5 billion to the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund for states that issue mask mandates for residents amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Associated Press reports via NBC Boston.

The legislation would also distribute $75 million in grants for states to use to promote mask mandates and provide free facial coverings for residents in need. Markey said he is "fully supportive" of President-elect Joe Biden's plan to ask all United States citizens to wear masks during the first 100 days of his presidency, which will begin on Wednesday, January 20, 2021.

"But we should not wait until then to arm ourselves with this protection," Markey said Friday via the Boston Herald, urging for a national mask mandate. "Thirteen states across our country still do not have mask mandates in place, and that's dangerous."

On Tuesday (December 8,) President-elect Biden announced three coronavirus initiatives for his first 100 days in office after consulting with National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease director and White House Coronavirus Task Force member Dr. Anthony Fauci, which, along with asking U.S. residents to wear masks, also includes 100 million covid-19 vaccine shots and opening a "majority" of schools, MSNBC reports.

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