PHOENIX — When it comes to N-95 masks, every community needs them. Phoenix is learning it's hard to trust anyone who sells them.
"Some of the vendors we are hearing from are people we haven't heard of before," said Assistant City Manager Milton Dohoney. "They are advertising fantastic deals and delivery dates that seem really interesting, I'll use that word."
Because of demand, the price for Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is rising.
According to Dohoney, the cost for the N-95 masks has doubled. It is hard for the city to track shipments and that has led to other challenges.
Dohoney says in one instance, the Federal Government commandeered PPE Phoenix was expecting to receive.
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The City Council was briefed on the difficulty purchasing PPE after hearing from former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona.
Carmona said there is no single way to protect the community from COVID 19, but he urged the Council to take a serious look at who can work from home.
He said ensure those who do have to come to work are protected and have systems in place to quarantine workers if they come in contact with someone who is infected with COVID 19.
