US Senator blocks COVID-19 relief for states not applying mask mandate

The United States Senator, Dainne Feinstein has called to bar coronavirus relief packages form states that refuses to implement mask mandates.

This comes after Governors of the US States dissaprove the federal health officials advice for wearing masks as a measure to slowing the country’s rapid rise in Covid-19 cases.

Feinstein, In a statement issued on Friday July 17, 2020, noted that the drastic increase in the coronavirus cases is a sign that the country is failing in controlling the virus and therefore urged the governors to instill discipline.

“Research shows that masks reduce transmission of the coronavirus. CDC Director Redfield said this surge in COVID-19 cases could end within two months if we adopt ‘universal masking.’

“Businesses like Walmart, Kohl’s and Kroger now require masks. And countries that are successfully controlling this virus require masks. So why doesn’t the United States have a national mask mandate?” She stated.

Feinstein argued that “Wearing masks in public should be mandatory as the COVID-19 pandemic is getting worse daily”.

She therefore called on US states to follow in the footsteps of California, Alabama and Montana, where mandates requiring masks in public are already in place, vowing that , “It’s time for Congress to step in” to make the measure universal.

She added that, “Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Senate will take up the next coronavirus economic relief bill later this month.”

“At that time, I intend to offer an amendment to prohibit sending funds to states that haven’t adopted a statewide mask requirement,” the California Senator said.