While it is recommended for unvaccinated individuals to wear masks to protect one’s mouth, nose, and throat from getting infected with the coronavirus, health care professionals who work in medium to high exposure settings are also recommended to wear eye protection, such as face shields and safety goggles to limit eye exposure to air-borne respiratory droplets.
N95 masks continue to be in short supply for hospitals and other healthcare professionals despite an excess supply. Meanwhile, PPE sold on WhatsApp, a popular messaging app, has allowed sellers to gouge prices despite a federal crackdown on the practice.
A shift in the N95 masks supply-demand chain has caused a disconnect between emerging PPE manufacturers and the healthcare workers that need the life-saving equipment as the nation continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.