; and (B) transmission in a community is substantially lower when individuals are required to use a face covering or where the use of a face covering is widespread. (5) The widespread use of face coverings substantially reduces the number of fatalities, the cases of severe illness, and continued economic losses that result from transmission of the virus that causes COVID–19. (6) The widespread use of face coverings is necessary (but not sufficient) to slow the spread of the virus that causes COVID–19 and should be promoted along with regular handwashing, social distancing, testing, and minimizing nonessential activities outside of the household. 3. Use of face coverings in public (a) Conditional funding with respect to face coverings The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this Act referred to as the Secretary ), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall require each State, territory, local government, and Tribal government to, as a condition on the receipt of COVID–19 funds and funds under a provision of a covered law, require, subject to the exceptions specified in subsection (b), the use of face coverings during the emergency period in public, including in each place of business, in the respective jurisdiction. (b) Exceptions The exceptions specified in this subsection are that a requirement implemented pursuant to subsection (a) may not apply to— (1) outdoor spaces where individuals may maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from other individuals who are not members of the same household; and (2) any individual who— (A) is under 2 years of age; (B) has a medical condition in which wearing a face covering could obstruct the ability of the individual to breathe; (C) is unable to remove a face covering without assistance