Rep. Payne, Jr. Requests FDA Approval of New Coronavirus Protective Mask
Media Contact: Patrick Wright -- Patrick.Wright@mail.house.gov
Washington, D.C. — Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. wrote a letter today to Stephen Hahn, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to request approval of a local protective mask for use nationwide.
In the letter, Rep. Payne, Jr. urged the FDA to review a personal protection mask used by Backpacks For Life to help address the nationwide shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE). Backpacks for Life is a New Jersey non-profit organization that serves the homeless and at-risk veteran communities.
“The mask produced by Backpacks for Life… can provide protection against droplets and spray that may be transmitted during coughs or sneezes,” wrote Rep. Payne, Jr. “Many hospitals and health care providers in New Jersey and across the country are desperate in their search for PPE. Approving this mask would help alleviate the tremendous need for equipment.”
Rep. Payne, Jr. has been working diligently to help get life-saving aid to his constituents and all Americans during this difficult time. He co-wrote a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve a ventilator design that could help supply local hospitals in New Jersey and the rest of the country immediately. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response & Recovery of the House Committee on Homeland Security, he has been in constant contact with FEMA officials to press them on when supplies will be available nationwide.
In addition, he has supported three coronavirus-related aid bills in the House. The first one, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 6074), provided $8.3 billion to fund medical efforts. The second one, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), provided free coronavirus testing for all Americans and mandatory paid sick leave for all workers.
The third and most recent one, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (H.R. 748), provided more than $2 trillion in emergency financial aid to Americans through direct payments, unemployment benefit increases, and funds to state and local governments to combat this global public health threat. The bill authorized direct payments of $1,200 to Americans who earn less than $75,000 and $2,400 to families who earn less than $150,000 as well as $500 for each child. Also, provided $349 billion to assist small businesses, $150 billion to state and local governments to help them handle coronavirus-related expenses, and $200 billion to support America’s hospitals and health care workers.
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