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Because they don't have 370 million N95 masks.



The US Strategic National Stockpile currently has 12 million N95 masks and 30 M surgical masks.


I wonder how long it would take to make them if we wanted to.


China produces 200,000 N95 respirators per day [1]. So it would take China about 5 years to produce the asked-for 370 million N95 respirators.

I can't find numbers for the US, but most people seem to assume that production is lower than in China. Whether that could be quickly ramped up, I also don't know.

[1] https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3050717/c...


Most suppliers will prioritize government over civilians and I know this because I was purchasing 700 masks for my company. Besides, government can setup its own factory. I know enough how these masks are assembled to tell you its not a rocket science.


How long would it take to set up the factory and the are the source materials available?




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