Bill Overview
Title: Freedom to Fly Maskless Act of 2022
Description: This bill restricts the authority of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Aviation Administration to issue regulations or safety standards that apply to interstate travelers for preventing the spread of communicable diseases. Specifically, the bill prohibits regulations or safety standards that require an interstate traveler to (1) undergo screening, testing, or treatment (e.g., vaccination); (2) quarantine or isolate; or (3) wear a face covering.
Sponsors: Rep. Brooks, Mo [R-AL-5]
Target Audience
Population: interstate travelers
Estimated Size: 100000000
- All interstate travelers in the United States could be affected, as the bill directly impacts the regulations for this group.
- Frequent flyers who travel between states are more likely to be affected, as the bill pertains to air travel regulations.
- Individuals within the U.S. who are concerned about disease prevention measures may experience changes to their travel behavior.
- The global community is indirectly impacted due to potential changes in the disease spread dynamics from travelers entering or leaving the U.S.
Reasoning
- The Freedom to Fly Maskless Act will have varying impacts on people depending on their frequent flyer status and their concerns around health safety.
- People who fly often for work or leisure might experience the impact to a greater extent due to frequent exposure to policy changes in air travel.
- Individuals with a higher concern for public health might experience a negative impact due to perceived lower safety without masks.
- Conversely, those opposed to mask mandates might feel liberated and improve their wellbeing under this policy.
- The policy's impact will also vary slightly geographically, depending on regional attitudes towards COVID-19 and related measures.
Simulated Interviews
Corporate Executive (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe in personal responsibility above imposed mandates.
- I'm fine with having the option to wear a mask but don't feel it should be mandatory.
- This policy promotes freedom, which I appreciate.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Public Health Researcher (Seattle, WA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It worries me that reducing health safety measures might increase the spread of illnesses on flights.
- I believe wearing masks is a minor inconvenience for greater collective health.
- I'd likely reduce non-essential travel because of this policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 3 |
Digital Nomad (Austin, TX)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I prefer not to wear a mask as it hampers my travel experience.
- I value flexibility and personal choice when I travel.
- This policy aligns with the lifestyle freedom I seek.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
School Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate having the choice to protect myself and my family with masks, depending on the situation.
- This act may deter me slightly from flying unless necessary.
- I'll be more vigilant with other protective measures, like hand washing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 5 |
Small Business Owner (Miami, FL)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act could boost my business because more people may choose to travel without mask mandates.
- I think it balances individual choice with public readiness to travel more freely.
- Concerns remain about potential outbreaks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Retired Nurse (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I prefer the safety mask mandates offer to passengers, especially older adults like myself.
- Without such measures, I feel more vulnerable traveling to see family.
- It's uncomfortable that this responsibility now falls solely on travelers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 5 |
Software Developer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is frustrating; I prefer the added safety of having mandated masks in crowded areas like airports.
- I plan to fly only when necessary or if airlines independently enforce stricter rules.
- The policy seems regressive given current health concerns.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 5 |
Truck Driver (Denver, CO)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The act does not impact me significantly as I rarely fly.
- I imagine it is a relief for frequent flyers I know who dislike wearing masks.
- Ultimately, it's not something I'm concerned about.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Travel Blogger (Boston, MA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Flexibility in travel regulations like masks suits my lifestyle as a frequent traveler.
- I understand the health concerns, but I prefer having a choice.
- This policy supports a smoother travel experience, which is critical for my work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Tech Entrepreneur (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Wearing a mask is a small price for personal and public health security.
- I'm apprehensive about the increased risk without mask mandates, especially during busy travel seasons.
- I might limit my travel due to these concerns.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $20000000)
Year 2: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $20000000)
Year 3: $10500000 (Low: $5250000, High: $21000000)
Year 5: $11000000 (Low: $5500000, High: $22000000)
Year 10: $12000000 (Low: $6000000, High: $24000000)
Year 100: $20000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $40000000)
Key Considerations
- Balance between public health safety and individual freedoms in policy formulation.
- Potential healthcare implications from increased disease transmission without mandates.
- Economic implications from fluctuating air travel demand depending on the public's health safety perceptions.