Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a surge in the global demand for N95 masks, opening the door for defense companies to cash in.
An N95 mask is worn over the mouth and nose to protect the wearer from airborne particles which may transmit viruses, such as COVID-19.
The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) says the N95 mask "blocks at least 95 percent of very small (0.3 micron) test particles. If properly fitted, the filtration capabilities of N95 respirators exceed those of face masks. However, even a properly fitted N95 respirator does not completely eliminate the risk of illness or death."
The United States government has mass ordered N95 masks from companies such as Honeywell and 3M. The FDA does not recommend N95 masks for the general public but rather for health care workers at high risk of exposure to the coronavirus.
Smaller companies have also entered the fray to provide N95 masks the U.S. government including Panthera Worldwide, LLC a security company that provides training.
Although Panthera's stated purpose is to provide security training, the company was recently awarded a 55 million dollar contract for N95 masks according to The Independent, which went on to report that the company has no employees, has filed for bankruptcy and has pending litigation against it. Panthera also has no history of distributing medical equipment.
One of the company executives, James V. Punelli, told The Washington Post that he is using his military contacts to procure N95 masks for the U.S. government.
“We’ve done DoD medical training over the years and through those contacts with that community were brought sources of supply in order to assist in the COVID-19 response," the Post quoted Punelli from a text message.
Former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel told the Post, "This is not how the government procures training or any type of supplies. You just wouldn't do business with somebody like that."
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Reach Jack Murphy: jack@connectingvets.com or @JackMurphyRGR.
