In the wake of a national shortage of face masks, 3M reported it has been making efforts to keep up with the increasing demand for its respirators. On April 2, the federal government invoked the Defense Production Act, requiring 3M to prioritize orders from FEMA for its N95 respirators.
“We have been working closely with the Administration to do exactly that, and we appreciate the authorities in the DPA that provide a framework for us to expand even further the work we are doing in response to the global pandemic crisis,” the company stated.
The Trump Administration also requested 3M cease exports of its U.S.-made respirators to other countries.
“There are, however, significant humanitarian implications of ceasing respirator supplies to healthcare workers in Canada and Latin America, where we are a critical supplier of respirators,” 3M responded in a statement. “In addition, ceasing all export of respirators produced in the United States would likely cause other countries to retaliate and do the same, as some have already done. If that were to occur, the net number of respirators being made available to the United States would actually decrease. That is the opposite of what we and the Administration, on behalf of the American people, both seek.”
The Home Depot announced it will stop selling N95 masks in all its stores and online. Instead, the home improvement retailer will donate all its shipments of N95 masks to hospitals, health care providers and first responders.
“We’ve been marshalling the resources of our merchandising and supply chain teams to globally source quality products and expedite the availability of needed items,” the company stated.
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, hospitals have seen a shortage of PPE supplies such as respirators, safety glasses and nitrile gloves, and have been requesting donations.
