With the recent Op-eds and media outlet reports regarding new, and highly transmissible, variants of COVID-19, N95 masks have become a highly sought form of personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline healthcare workers and the public alike. But who should wear N95 masks?
Get Us PPE’s February PPE Shortage Index Shows that community facilities and nonprofits continue to lack medically necessary PPE to protect staff; N95 masks are still not reaching under-resourced facilities.
This month’s Shortage Index shows healthcare workers still lack adequate PPE like N95 masks, nitrile gloves, and disinfectant wipes, leading healthcare workers to reuse N95 masks and gloves. Additionally, new data on PPE prices shows the price of N95 masks and nitrile gloves has shot up since the pandemic.
Since last spring, the shortage and rationing of PPE have not disappeared. Health care providers are repeatedly sounding the alarm as PPE is continually rationed at increasingly unsafe rates.
The December Get Us PPE Shortage Index breaks down why the United States is still experiencing a critical PPE shortage with the rollout of the vaccine, the needs for PPE in community facilities, and the highest PPE requests by state.
Vigilance is still of utmost importance to maintain safety during COVID. If you are spending time with friends outside of your pod, mask up!