NPR: PPE https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=358569029 PPE en Copyright 2024 NPR - For Personal Use Only Story API Shim 1.2.24 Sun, 25 May 2025 21:53:08 -0400 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 NPR: PPE https://www.npr.org/tags/358569029/ppe Doggles and dog booties: Anchorage residents prep pets for volcanic explosion Mount Spurr, which scientists say is likely to erupt in the coming weeks or months, is about 80 miles west of Anchorage. But ash clouds could reach the state's biggest city. Thu, 10 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2025/04/10/nx-s1-5355827/dogs-alaska-ppe-goggles-volcano https://www.npr.org/2025/04/10/nx-s1-5355827/dogs-alaska-ppe-goggles-volcano

Mount Spurr, which scientists say is likely to erupt in the coming weeks or months, is about 80 miles west of Anchorage. But ash clouds could reach the state's biggest city.

(Image credit: Heather Duffy)

]]> Nathaniel Herz More medical gloves are coming from China, as U.S. makers of protective gear struggle The federal government has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to boost American production of medical gloves, but some companies say it's not enough when imported gloves have gotten cheaper. Fri, 03 Nov 2023 05:15:47 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/11/03/1198434566/medical-gloves-china-u-s-makers-personal-protective-gear-struggle https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/11/03/1198434566/medical-gloves-china-u-s-makers-personal-protective-gear-struggle

The federal government has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to boost American production of medical gloves, but some companies say it's not enough when imported gloves have gotten cheaper.

(Image credit: MOHD RASFAN)

]]> Nell Greenfieldboyce Peru has the world's highest COVID death rate. Here's why An isolated city on the Amazon illustrates why Peru has the highest COVID death rate in the world. One infectious disease expert called the country's awful record the result of a "perfect storm." Sat, 27 Nov 2021 11:48:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/11/27/1057387896/peru-has-the-worlds-highest-covid-death-rate-heres-why https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/11/27/1057387896/peru-has-the-worlds-highest-covid-death-rate-heres-why

An isolated city on the Amazon illustrates why Peru has the highest COVID death rate in the world. One infectious disease expert called the country's awful record the result of a "perfect storm."

]]> Jason Beaubien Rural Health Systems Challenged By COVID-19 Surge Medical services in small Northwest towns are stretched to the limit with shortages of qualified workers and PPE, CARES Act funds running out and hospitals at or near capacity. Sat, 12 Dec 2020 07:01:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2020/12/12/945550903/rural-health-systems-challenged-by-covid-19-surge https://www.npr.org/2020/12/12/945550903/rural-health-systems-challenged-by-covid-19-surge

Medical services in small Northwest towns are stretched to the limit with shortages of qualified workers and PPE, CARES Act funds running out and hospitals at or near capacity.

]]> Anna King 'We're All Tired Of This': Health Care Workers In Seattle Prepare For Another Surge Harborview Medical Center faced the country's initial swell of coronavirus cases. Now, health care workers there are offering advice to people facing the latest surge in COVID-19 patients. Thu, 03 Dec 2020 08:30:22 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2020/12/03/940114449/were-all-tired-of-this-health-care-workers-in-seattle-prepare-for-another-surge https://www.npr.org/2020/12/03/940114449/were-all-tired-of-this-health-care-workers-in-seattle-prepare-for-another-surge Harborview Medical Center faced the country's initial swell of coronavirus cases. Now, health care workers there are offering advice to people facing the latest surge in COVID-19 patients.

]]> Will Stone Why Can't America Make Enough N95 Masks? 6 Months Into Pandemic, Shortages Persist There's just not enough PPE to satisfy demand. Medics are re-using masks and small practices can't even find supplies they can afford. Some domestic manufacturers could help, but it's a risky move. Thu, 17 Sep 2020 05:01:16 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2020/09/17/913093387/why-cant-america-make-enough-n95-masks-6-months-into-pandemic-shortages-persist https://www.npr.org/2020/09/17/913093387/why-cant-america-make-enough-n95-masks-6-months-into-pandemic-shortages-persist

There's just not enough PPE to satisfy demand. Medics are re-using masks and small practices can't even find supplies they can afford. Some domestic manufacturers could help, but it's a risky move.

(Image credit: David Paul Morris)

]]> Joel Rose Wildfires Make Dangerous Air For Farmworkers: 'It's Like You Can't Breathe' As fires ravage California, farmworkers are dealing with dangerous air in incredible heat. Hernan Hernandez of the California Farmworker Foundation says there's "nowhere near" enough protective gear. Mon, 14 Sep 2020 18:34:50 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2020/09/14/912752013/wildfires-make-dangerous-air-for-farmworkers-it-s-like-you-can-t-breathe https://www.npr.org/2020/09/14/912752013/wildfires-make-dangerous-air-for-farmworkers-it-s-like-you-can-t-breathe

As fires ravage California, farmworkers are dealing with dangerous air in incredible heat. Hernan Hernandez of the California Farmworker Foundation says there's "nowhere near" enough protective gear.

(Image credit: Brent Stirton)

]]> James Doubek FEMA Says It Will Stop Paying For Cloth Face Masks For Schools FEMA says pandemic-related funding is available from other sources, including millions of masks from Health and Human Services. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden blasts the policy change. Tue, 01 Sep 2020 17:18:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/09/01/908413181/fema-says-it-will-stop-paying-for-cloth-face-masks-for-schools https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/09/01/908413181/fema-says-it-will-stop-paying-for-cloth-face-masks-for-schools

FEMA says pandemic-related funding is available from other sources, including millions of masks from Health and Human Services. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden blasts the policy change.

(Image credit: Stefani Reynolds)

]]> Laurel Wamsley Yep, Masks And Protective Gear Are Still Hard To Get — Especially For Small Buyers Just like in March, when coronavirus cases spiked for the first time, some workers and employers across the country face PPE shortages. Masks, gloves, gowns and other equipment are scarce. Wed, 19 Aug 2020 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2020/08/19/903612006/yep-masks-and-protective-gear-are-still-hard-get-especially-for-small-buyers https://www.npr.org/2020/08/19/903612006/yep-masks-and-protective-gear-are-still-hard-get-especially-for-small-buyers Just like in March, when coronavirus cases spiked for the first time, some workers and employers across the country face PPE shortages. Masks, gloves, gowns and other equipment are scarce.

]]> Joel Rose 'Meaningless' FDA Certificates Are Used To Tout Dubious Face Masks Companies that made hats, socks and teddy bears have started producing surgical masks to protect people from COVID-19. Some sellers exaggerate their standing with the Food and Drug Administration. Thu, 16 Jul 2020 12:45:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/07/16/890776466/meaningless-fda-certificates-are-used-to-tout-dubious-face-masks https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/07/16/890776466/meaningless-fda-certificates-are-used-to-tout-dubious-face-masks

Companies that made hats, socks and teddy bears have started producing surgical masks to protect people from COVID-19. Some sellers exaggerate their standing with the Food and Drug Administration.

(Image credit: Aleksandr Zubkov)

]]> Sydney Lupkin