Bill Overview
Title: COVID–19 Origin Disclosure Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to publish information about the origin of COVID-19 and its potential links to the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
Sponsors: Sen. Braun, Mike [R-IN]
Target Audience
Population: People globally who have been impacted or could be impacted by understanding the origin of COVID-19
Estimated Size: 335000000
- This bill is related to information disclosure about the origin of COVID-19.
- The global population has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, making the origin of interest to people worldwide.
- Understanding the origin of COVID-19 could impact ongoing and future public health policies internationally.
- Researchers and scientists across the globe, as well as policymakers, have a keen interest in this information to prevent future pandemics.
Reasoning
- The policy aims to disclose information on the origins of COVID-19, potentially impacting public trust and understanding.
- Considering the entire US population has been affected by COVID-19 in some respect, there is widespread interest, but the direct impact on wellbeing may vary.
- Individuals in scientific research or public health roles may feel more directly impacted compared to others.
- Given the budget constraints, the policy primarily involves information dissemination rather than direct aid, limiting potential large-scale individual impacts.
Simulated Interviews
Science Teacher (New York, NY)
Age: 44 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe understanding the origins of COVID-19 is crucial for educational purposes.
- It might help clarify misconceptions students have about the pandemic.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Software Engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's important to have accurate information on COVID-19 origins.
- I don't see it changing my day-to-day life significantly.
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 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Public Health Official (Chicago, IL)
Age: 52 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This information is critical for shaping future public health policies.
- Transparency could improve public trust in health guidelines.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Small Business Owner (Houston, TX)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not sure how knowing the origins will help my business.
- Clearer rules and support are more beneficial to me than this information.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 61 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's reassuring to have more information, but I doubt it will change much for retirees.
- I'm more concerned about vaccine availability and effectiveness.
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 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Medical Student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is vital for my studies and future career in medicine.
- Would like to see more international cooperation on health issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Factory Worker (Detroit, MI)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm skeptical about this whole thing, including the policy.
- What I need is better job security, not more information.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Research Scientist (Salt Lake City, UT)
Age: 31 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This information could steer new research directions.
- It might foster more collaborative international research efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Nurse (Dallas, TX)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Understanding COVID-19's origins would be beneficial but less immediate than care improvements.
- Federal support for healthcare workers is more pressing.
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 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Bank Manager (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The origin of COVID-19 is interesting but not directly impactful on my work.
- I'm more interested in how policies will affect economic recovery.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $20000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the information being disclosed to prevent misinformation.
- Balancing transparency with national security or foreign policy considerations when disclosing the origins.
- Potential diplomatic impacts regarding relations with China, depending on conclusions drawn in the report.