def METHOD_NAME(str_a: Optional[str], str_b: Optional[str]) -> bool:
    """
    Safe test of lower string equality allowing Nones.
    If either argument is None the result is False because the intent is to report if they are equal as actual strings.
    """
    if str_a is None or str_b is None:
        return False
    return str_a.strip().lower() == str_b.strip().lower()