I just want to remind folks that I made the OP because I think it fits the category and, to some extent, is much more open than the run-of-the-mill grant opportunity (IMO). If you read the topics area and you have some creative ideas that you think should be considered (or you know of some folks who do and can pass it on), then great. I have no affiliation with the challenge.
If you have no interest in it, that's ok also. If you are all upset about it and you are a US taxpayer, by all means, write your congressperson and senators and express your complaints.
I have some strong opinions on the matter and have voiced them before. That is not the intention here and I, for one, do not want to see a fairly straight forward thread degenerate into a forum for anti-maskers, or pro-maskers for that matter.