Re:The N95 mask shortage America can't seem to fix
by dragontamer on Wednesday September 23, 2020 @11:19AM
(#24568109)
>
Every single year when the wildfires torch California N95 masks become unobtainable for a couple of weeks.
That hasn't affected the National N95 stockpile until this year.
Maybe California should build their own N95 stockpile, at least if these fires keep happening more regularly.
Yes.
Every single year when the wildfires torch California N95 masks become unobtainable for a couple of weeks. Having a larger supply and/or back stock available would make a difference. It's clear that planning is needed, but production also needs to increase to allow for stockpiling.
You also talk about a "black-swan event" for something that was foreseeable and somewhat predictable. Just like flooding and earthquakes, pandemics come in cycles and we were due for one any time. It also means it'll happen again, so maybe we should be ready.