Does the general public need PPE?
No, there currently are no specific recommendations or requirements for the general public to purchase, use or stockpile PPE. In May 2007, the FDA cleared for marketing two special types of N95 respirators for use by the general public to add to their home medical emergency kits http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/hotnews/75h96523064049.html. This type of PPE is available to help reduce a person’s exposure to airborne germs during a range of public health medical emergencies, such as a worldwide outbreak (pandemic) of influenza or a biological terrorist threat such as anthrax. The two respirators (called the 3M N95 Respirator 8612F and 8670F) are available to the general public to purchase without a prescription. The use of face masks or respirators may be helpful for persons at higher risk of complications from pandemic influenza or for those who must be in close contact with others during a pandemic. Note: The general public does not have to follow any state or federal laws to use t
