The White House analyzes the sending of masks to every home in the country

Most of the attention of the new United States federal government is on fighting the COVID 19 pandemic. Efforts range from expanding the vaccination process, to boosting access to exams, to a plan to fully reopen schools and the mandatory use of mouth covering. masks in public transport.

The possibility is under consideration that this may be the case as an incentive in its use the federal government itself, which sends millions of masks to every home in the country. The project is not new, it first emerged during the Donald J. Trump administration, but his administration ultimately rejected the proposal. Let’s not forget that the former president had an ambivalent relationship with the use of masks. Sometimes he recommended them, sometimes he was against them.

The Biden administration has recommended the use of masks as the main barrier to the spread of the virus. Even the doctor this week Anthony Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (and pretty much the only Trump government official to transfer to the Biden administration), advocated using two masks at the same time.

“This is a physical cover to prevent traps and viruses from entering. If you put another layer on one layer, it just makes sense that it’s more effective, ” the country’s chief virologist told NBC.

Joe Biden has not yet approved the new project, but sources close to the White House agree that the idea of ​​sending masks home has been discussed in several meetings.

Biden has already asked citizens to wear face masks for at least the first 100 days of his reign, and one of his executive orders signed in the first week is the requirement to use them on public transportation and federal buildings.

“There are several options to protect more Americans from COVID 19 and encourage them to wear masks, but no final decision has been made yet,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki, who also acknowledged that there are many uncertain details. . in the project, such as the number of masks that could be shipped per household, whether they would be disposable or reusable, and even the cost of the program.

When the project came into being during the Trump administration, the responsible officials determined that instead of sending the masks to homes, they would be sent to federal agencies across the country, public buildings, and nonprofits who would distribute them among themselves. the population.

Under this previous government program, contracts were signed between the Department of Health and Human Services and textile manufacturers for the mass production of masks under the America Strong program for $ 640 million.

Contrary to what happened with the previous administration, In the Biden administration, all White House officials are required to wear a mask at all times. The press secretary herself comes to the daily press conferences with her mouth and nose covered, only to be discovered while making statements from the podium. Biden herself always wears a mask, even during meetings in the Oval Room.

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Coronavirus in the United States: Mandatory use of masks in public transport comes into effect