EYECARE: Coronavirus BRIEFING: Crisis Response Tactics Biden Administration Launches $500,000 Contest for Face Mask Innovation By Staff Friday, April 9, 2021 12:01 AM With this mask challenge, we want to get people across the country involved in developing new masks that are both effective and comfortable. This will help us control COVID-19 and be better prepared for future public health emergencies. Nikki Bratcher-Bowman, acting assistant secretary for preparedness and response at HHS, commenting this week as the Biden Administration announced a contest for face mask innovation, as reported by Equities.com in its story, “Biden Administration Launches $500,000 Contest for Face Mask Innovation.”