Kaiser Health News reports manufacturers of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies warned shortages could last for years unless the government intervenes. Although supplies have improved since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, rolling shortages have affected masks, isolation gowns, face shields and even specialized beds and thermometers. Meanwhile, trade associations reported challenges persuading customers to purchase from American suppliers and reluctance on the part of those suppliers to invest in the equipment needed to scale up production without long-term government contracts. (Kaiser Health News story, 8/17/20)
