Bill Overview
Title: Unmask Our Kids Act of 2022
Description: This bill places restrictions on federal funding to any preschool, kindergarten, or elementary or secondary school with respect to mask mandates. Specifically, the bill prohibits a preschool, kindergarten, or elementary or secondary school from receiving federal funds if it (1) mandates that students wear face masks while on school grounds or engaged in school-sponsored activities, or (2) limits participation in school activities for students who choose to not wear a face mask on school grounds or while engaged in school-sponsored activities. The Department of Education must require each application for federal assistance submitted by an educational agency to attest that all of its schools have rescinded any face mask mandate.
Sponsors: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Target Audience
Population: People involved in education systems worldwide (students, educators, and staff)
Estimated Size: 70000000
- This bill affects schools that enforce mask mandates, which primarily serve school-age children from preschool through secondary school.
- The legislation impacts students' compliance with mask mandates and thus relates to the well-being of these children and possibly their families, given health considerations.
- School staff, including teachers and administrators, may also be affected by changes in school policy regarding mask mandates.
- This policy would predominantly apply to students and school personnel in the United States as it involves U.S. federal funding.
Reasoning
- The policy targets preschools, kindergarten, and K-12 school environments across the United States by affecting mask mandate implementations, which directly impacts children attending these schools and, as a result, their families.
- Teachers and school staff members would also be directly impacted in terms of work environment and interactions with students.
- Although not all parents would see the policy as beneficial depending on their views on mask mandates, the financial allocation suggests the policy is not meant for rapid widespread implementation but to affect gradual change in targeted areas, possibly starting with schools in less densely populated regions where mask mandates remain contentious.
- Considering the average costs for school federal funding, the allocated budget limits imply a focus on specific adjustments rather than system-wide immediate funding retraction.
- The potential impact on Cantril wellbeing scores will vary greatly in the short term given initial uncertainties and parental and staff apprehensions regarding health and safety.
Simulated Interviews
Elementary School Teacher (Dallas, TX)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate the choice for my child, but I'm worried about health risks.
- This adds stress to my job as now I must ensure kids comply with rules while keeping them safe without enforced mask policies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
School Administrator (New York, NY)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Rescinding mask mandates puts vulnerable kids at risk.
- Schools now have to focus on enforcing hygiene without masks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Parent and Healthcare Worker (Salt Lake City, UT)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Personally, I prefer my children to wear masks due to health conditions at home.
- The policy feels politically motivated more than scientifically sound.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 10 |
School Janitor (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Need clear communication and proper hygiene resources to cope with changes.
- Mask mandates or rescinding them should not affect school funding.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Parent Homeschooling (Rural Idaho)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- These mandates never affected us directly, but tension remains in communities.
- Focusing on kids' education rather than political policies would be better.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
High School Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Adjusting to changes in mask policies is tough for both students and staff.
- This could divide parents and staff opinions further.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Parent and Business Owner (Orlando, FL)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Happy to see children making their own decisions about mask-wearing.
- Personal responsibility and choice are paramount.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 9 |
School Nurse (Seattle, WA)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If the policy mandates mask-wearing during critical times, it would better manage potential health risks.
- It's challenging to manage health protocols without enforceable measures at school.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
School Principal (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Critically understanding budget and allocations is now key for administrators.
- This policy shifts the focus away from educational well-being to political landscapes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 10 |
Student (High School) (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 17 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Masks help me feel safer at school because of my health condition.
- Policies should protect students, not make situations riskier.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 10 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $10000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $10000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $10000000)
Year 5: $5000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $10000000)
Year 10: $5000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $10000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $10000000)
Key Considerations
- The policy does not include funding for mask enforcement or removal of mask mandates, focusing solely on funding restrictions.
- The federal enforcement mechanism relies on attestation, potentially leading to variance in reporting accuracy.
- Health and safety concerns are significant for stakeholders in school communities.