Suppliers are Price Gouging Essential PPE

Now that the Strategic National Stockpile has depleted their resources, states have struggled to acquire essential personal protective equipment. To make matters worse, the cost of PPE has increased by more than 1,000%. N95 masks which used to cost .38 cents  now cost $5.75 each. It’s the same with gloves, isolation gowns, face shields and more. High demand, numerous competitors, and lack of regulation has led outside suppliers to participate in extreme price gouging. And the prices are predicted to go up even more. President Trump has already enacted the Defense Production Act, which is a war-time era law. It allows the government to force companies to produce certain supplies in emergency situations. However, the president has only issued a partial Defense Production Act. FEMA is pleading with the president to use his full authorities in order to make up for the huge demand.