Illinois Spends $17M On Masks That Are Now Being Recalled

Governor JB Pritzker says he's been searching everywhere for gowns, gloves and masks to protect medical workers and first-responders in Illinois from COVID-19.

However, according to a report from WGN-TV News, the $17 million worth of KN95 masks that the governor purchased from China may be largely worthless.

WGN-TV News:

That includes many KN95 masks bought from China, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said earlier this month was an acceptable alternative to the United States approved N95 masks. An alert from the Illinois Department of Public Health followed, saying the KN95 masks may not meet performance standards and counterfeit masks are “flooding the marketplace.” The department recommends agencies remove any KN95 masks that have already been received.

And, the powers-that-be in Missouri are recalling thousands of KN95 masks after testing by the state’s Department of Health and Senior Services over the weekend found some did not meet their standards.