Bill Overview
Title: Brycen Gray and Ben Price COVID–19 Cognitive Research Act
Description: This bill directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award competitive, merit-reviewed grants to eligible entities, including through the RAPID funding mechanism, to support interdisciplinary research on the disruption of regular cognitive processes associated with both short-term and long-term COVID-19 infections, including with respect to children and adolescents. No later than 45 days after the enactment of this bill, the NSF shall enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study and produce a report on the disruption of cognitive processes associated with COVID-19 infection.
Sponsors: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals globally affected by cognitive impacts of COVID-19
Estimated Size: 80000000
- The bill focuses on research about cognitive disruptions due to COVID-19.
- Both short-term and long-term COVID-19 infections are mentioned, indicating the impact on individuals who have experienced these conditions.
- Children and adolescents are specifically highlighted as populations of interest in the research.
- Approximately 770 million children under the age of 14 globally might be directly impacted by the findings as they can inform care and policy for this population.
- Estimating the number of people affected by COVID-19 mental impacts can consider the millions infected by COVID-19.
Reasoning
- The policy is primarily focused on research, so its direct impact on individuals might not be immediate but could influence future treatments and public awareness.
- The short-term budget of $50 million should primarily fund preliminary research and setup of research programs, which may not result in immediate effects for all individuals.
- It is crucial to include individuals who have had different experiences with COVID-19—those with long-term COVID, short-term effects, children, adolescents, and those unaffected by cognitive symptoms to provide a broad range of perspectives.
- The policy will directly affect researchers and indirect long-term effects on individuals with cognitive disruptions from COVID-19.
- The inclusion of diverse individuals in the simulated interviews ensures a realistic view of how the policy might affect people in the U.S.
- The Wellbeing scores are a way to comprehend the perceived impact before and projected after the policy implementation. Projected impacts might be low initially due to the policy's research focus but could rise as research translates into actionable insights.
Simulated Interviews
School Teacher (New York, NY)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this research brings more understanding to what I went through. It was hard to focus on my work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Researcher (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy should provide much-needed funding to understand the cognitive impact of COVID-19 better.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 15 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope they find something that can help us focus better after having COVID.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Parent (Seattle, WA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This research is crucial; I've seen how much my kids have struggled post-COVID.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Healthcare Worker (Boston, MA)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Cognitive issues weren't part of my experience, but I'm glad research is being done for those who need it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Student (Houston, TX)
Age: 12 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not sure how this affects me, but maybe it can help my friends who had COVID.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If this research can help improve the understanding and treatment, it would be invaluable to many.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Tech Professional (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not affected by COVID-19, but funding research is always a positive move.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Research Assistant (Denver, CO)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a great chance for advancing research in this area which can have long-term benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 10 |
Retired Healthcare Administrator (Portland, OR)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Investing in research will hopefully lead to better post-COVID recovery strategies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $52000000 (Low: $42000000, High: $62000000)
Year 3: $54000000 (Low: $44000000, High: $64000000)
Year 5: $58000000 (Low: $48000000, High: $68000000)
Year 10: $60000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $70000000)
Year 100: $65000000 (Low: $55000000, High: $75000000)
Key Considerations
- The scientific impact and findings could have a global influence, informing international health guidelines.
- Understanding cognitive disruptions may also inform educational methods and public health strategies.
- Investment in these research grants could indirectly assist in advancing sciences related to pandemic impacts.