A lot has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged worldwide particularly on how health experts are encouraging the public to protect themselves. Last year, filtering respirators such as the N95 and KN95 varieties were in short supply prompting health authorities to reserve them for medical use only. However, health authorities are now recommending the wearing of N95 and KN95 respirators for the general public instead of opting for low-grade face masks this year.
While the Biden administration has tapped the Defense Production Act to further push the increased production of personal protective equipment (PPEs) for healthcare professionals all over the U.S., there is still a growing concern about the shortage of medical-grade N95 and KN95 respirators in the market today.