[ransomnote]

We DO want our healthcare people to be protected from it and to avoid spreading it. And sadly, I keep reading reports that the public is hoarding supplies the medical people need. THANK YOU, Mr. President!

[9YearLurker]

I want to know what steps have been taken to assure a sufficient supply of ventilators since the outbreak. By how much will we be able to expand our hospital bed, ICU and ventilator capacities? And what have we done to assure that we have sufficient trained medical personnel to handle this, especially since we will likely lose a number of them to illness as well.

[Reno89519]

Everyone should already have these items on hand. We do and have had for a very long time. Be prepared folks!

[EBH]

I agree the front-line MUST have them.

This order means the public will no longer have access to them.

Curiosity remains how this affects those industries that require them? Are the then closed for business?

[amorphous]

According to someone at the CDC, respirators don’t work. And you can have my respirator when you pry it from my cold dead fingers!

[Bell Bouy II]

Me thinks piece confuses Respirators aka tube into the lungs and N95 paper masks. big dif

[Widget Jr]

Completely justified. Medical personnel need N95s and other protective equipment first, everyone else gets what’s left over.

[IndispensableDestiny]

Secretary of Health and Human Services took action by issuing a declaration pursuant to section 319F-3 of the Public Health Service Act

Has anybody found a record of this declaration? I'm looking.

[taxcontrol]

Standard P or N 95 masks will NOT protect against a virus. To protect against a virus, it is necessary to filter down to the 5 micron level - HEPA 12 or 13 being a good starting point.