The U.S. Invested Millions to Produce Masks at Home. Now Nobody’s Buying.
U.S.-made masks and gloves became a national priority during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now the manufacturers need a lifeline of their own. Domestic production of protective medical equipment that was in short supply during the pandemic is now collapsing as hospitals and other healthcare buyers return to foreign-based suppliers. About 70% of the 100 or so U.S. mask companies launched during the pandemic have closed, according to industry estimates. U.S. production of N95 and surgical masks fell by more than 90% in 2023 from 2021 levels after elimination of masking requirements knocked out consumer demand.