Michael Einhorn's medical supply company may run out of masks against the new coronavirus in two weeks unless the Chinese manufacturer of his equipment resumes production this week.
"We're having to make tough decisions every day on who gets masks and who doesn't," said Einhorn, the founder of New York-based Dealmed-Park Surgical, which employs almost 100 people. "Do masks go to the suburban hospital or the 911 responders? It's a huge responsibility, and we know we're going to make some mistakes."
Einhorn's dilemma is playing out on a global stage. With the deadly virus now present in 100 countries, companies are unable to match demand for the masks needed by health workers. That has led governments to jockey for supplies, including the U.S., which is stockpiling, and Germany and South Korea, which banned exports of masks altogether.