In response to the Omicron variant surging across the United States, Senator Bernie Sanders and 50 other Democratic lawmakers have introduced the Masks for All Act, legislation that would require the federal government to send N95 masks to every American, among other efforts to combat the virus.

While the Biden Administration plans to make 400 million high-quality masks available to the American people, we must take action to ensure that his plan will not just be a one-time band-aid but truly a widespread effort to address the actual scope of the problem.

With the virus still spreading and taking the lives of Americans every day, Congress and President Biden need to use all of the powers the federal government has at its disposal to provide everyone in America with high-quality masks free of charge.

Under the Masks for All Act, every person in the United States – including individuals who are experiencing homelessness or living in congregate settings such as prisons, shelters, college dorms, and assisted living facilities – would receive a package of three N95 respirator masks, free of charge.

Individuals would be able to pick up additional masks at convenient community locations that are already providing essential services, such as post offices, pharmacies, schools, public transportation stations, and COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites.

The bill will also provide needed N95 respirators to all workers in health settings, including administrative, janitorial, food services, and other critically important workers.

Additionally, the Masks for All Act would:

• Appropriate $5 billion for domestic manufacturing, procurement, and N-95 respirator distribution

• Require the federal government to procure masks at a reasonable price

• Deliver masks to households via the U.S. Postal Service

• Manufacture and deliver masks in a variety of sizes, including for children, to ensure proper fit

• Package masks with information on the importance of wearing and proper use of masks

• Require weekly progress reports to Congress on use of funds and actions undertaken to eliminate mask shortages

Demand Congress and President Biden pass the Masks for All Act and use their power to distribute N95 masks to all Americans.