Health Care Workers Worried About Dwindling Medical Supplies

Healthcare workers are concerned about the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) in hospitals. The National Nurses United Union reports that items like gowns and masks are scarce, leading to reuse despite being designed for single use. The FDA has approved the decontamination and reuse of some PPE during the pandemic. Some physician offices remain closed due to lack of supplies. Over 94,000 healthcare workers in the US have contracted COVID-19, with hundreds of deaths reported.

What is the main concern of healthcare workers regarding PPE?

• The cost of PPE

• The quality of PPE

• The shortage of PPE

• The design of PPE

What has the FDA allowed regarding N95 masks during the pandemic?

• Disposing of them after multiple uses

• Decontaminating and reusing them

• Using them without decontamination

• Exporting them to other countries

Why have some physician offices in the US remained closed?

• Due to high operational costs

• Due to lack of patients

• Due to staff shortages

• Due to lack of necessary supplies

How many healthcare workers in the US have contracted COVID-19 according to the CDC?

• More than 94,000

• More than 120,000

• More than 70,000

• More than 50,000

What is the consequence of PPE shortages on healthcare workers?

• Higher risk of contracting COVID-19

• Reduced working hours

• More vacation time

• Increased salaries