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

III 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 resolu- tion; 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 be- lieves 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 pan- demic has shown the utility of wearing masks in pro- viding protection against the transmission of respiratory infections; VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:57 Jul 30, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR663.IS SR663 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 663 IS 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 pro- tection 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 Con- trol 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 Con- trol and Prevention on July 17, 2020, found no sec- VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:57 Jul 30, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR663.IS SR663 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 663 IS ondary cases of COVID–19 in 139 mask-wearing clients of 2 symptomatic mask-wearing hair stylists with con- firmed 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 in- dividuals to be 79 percent effective in reducing COVID– 19 transmission: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) recognizes the importance of mask-wearing 2 in limiting the transmission of the Coronavirus Dis- 3 ease 2019 (referred to in this resolution as 4 ‘‘COVID–19’’); 5 (2) recognizes that medical-grade masks should 6 be reserved for use in health care settings and 7 among vulnerable populations throughout the 8 COVID–19 pandemic; 9 (3) recognizes that mask-wearing should be 10 coupled with other measures recommended by the 11 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and 12 State and local public health agencies, including fre- 13 quent handwashing and physical distancing, to fur- 14 ther reduce the risk of COVID–19 transmission; and 15 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:57 Jul 30, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR663.IS SR663 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 4 •SRES 663 IS (4) encourages the people of the United States 1 to wear masks in indoor public places, in accordance 2 with the guidelines established by the Centers for 3 Disease Control and Prevention, at times when phys- 4 ical distancing is not allowable to protect against un- 5 known transmission of COVID–19. 6 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:57 Jul 30, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR663.IS SR663 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS