On Saturday vice president Mike Penance confirmed that Apple CEO would work with Trump’s administration.
“The president and I literally heard directly from Apple that they’re donating 2 million industrial masks to this effort around the country and working with our administration to distribute those,” Pence said at a White House press briefing.
Earlier in the day Tim Cook, the Apple CEO, twitted that the company was working towards the distribution of millions of health masks to help combat the novel virus. Penance urged other manufacturers to follow in Cooks’s steps.
The challenge behind increased demand and low supply.
The virus has struck our towns, cities, countries and even continents at large. Countries are racing about trying to control the pandemic. There is a struggle in our industries. Health care systems, tourism, and construction are having a hard time as some are shutting down. The health masks are essential for all the population at large; including health workers. The doctors and nurses also need protection while treating infected persons.
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos reported that the masks are running out. Especially with the increased demand and low supply. However, the company has made several orders, although received a few deliveries. The masks are essential for contractors and employees who cannot work from home. Especially those working in the construction industry.
Millions of mask orders remain unanswered. It is unclear whether the masks are available. An order made through Federal Emergency Management received no response. Since there is a shortage of personal protective equipment, some workers are going without them. i.e. some medics treating patients without the masks on. Especially in the regions greatly affected.
Necessity is the mother of invention.
Last week at a briefing on Tuesday, vice president Pence pledged to the construction industries to extend their support towards control of the virus. He requested them to donate their protective masks to the hospitals. Stating that the protective construction masks were perfectly fit to help protect healthcare officials from respiratory infections.
What makes N95 masks effective?
N95 masks are disposable. Because of the close-fitting nature, they keep individuals safe from droplets laden with the virus. By preventing contact of contaminated substances with the nose and mouth. However, the effectiveness depends on a perfect fit of the mask covering the nose and mouth. Doctors tending to corona victims always have a challenge after long hours of having the mask on.
Fauci says more N95 masks will be available.
During a briefing on Saturday in the White House, Doctor Fauci, head of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease gave a report. He said that soon enough, possibly in a few days they will receive fresh mask supplies. There was no need to panic, especially for the medics. Companies and individuals are also donating. The situation, therefore, is under control. For instance, Tesla CEO Elon Musk donated a truck full of protective equipment i.e. gowns and masks to a UCLA health facility.
