Actually, the reason we don’t have enough face masks is due to government trade policies of the past.
Our government sets trade policies and when they lowered the import tariffs in the 60’s, it had the effect of offshoring many industries including face masks and pharmaceuticals.
Trump has been trying to reverse those policies, but neither democrats nor republicans have supported him. He’s had to do this on his own.
It turns out that the Federal Government actually has a national strategic stockpile of medical supplies like face masks for just this type of scenario.
It’s not enough. But it’s something. And Trump is acting to get production fired back up here in the US.
So yes, Fedgov is indirectly responsible for the national production of face masks through trade policy. And while they are not responsible, nor do they regulate to my knowledge, the supply practices of hospitals with regard to face masks, they should be planning for emergencies and looking out for our general welfare.
I work in a hospital. I had to clean two rooms that had been occupied by patients with ‘’possible corona virus’’. Had to put on a hazmat suit, just like you see on tv and use a cheap paper mask because N 95 face masks have been sent to China. This is what our supervisors have told us.