[ad_1]
A new report from The New York Times’ Andrew Jacobs explores how mask policies on tech platforms that have allowed novelty masks like scrunchie masks to flourish as some mask makers making high filtration masks have struggled to sell their products.
Even if you are vaccinated, wearing a mask is still recommended. So it seems problematic that many masks widely advertised on Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon are novelty varieties that might be less safe than medical grade N95s. Facebook and Amazon say they’re following Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
Facebook prevented mask sellers from advertising and selling masks to the masses at the start of the pandemic, when they were in short supply. The idea was to reserve the N95s for health professionals. This policy eventually changed so that non-medical masks, face coverings and plastic screens could be advertised. Some mask makers that make their own medical grade masks have told Jacobs they can’t advertise on the platform, while fabric masks that can fold pocket squares or turn into scrunchies on the platform. are. Which might not be a problem if these vendors reached hospitals directly. Many told Jacobs that they are not:
“I would be happy to sell my masks to healthcare workers, but right now hospitals aren’t exactly knocking on my door,” said Brian Wolin, general manager of Protective Health Gear, a company in Paterson, NJ. , which has half a million unsold N95 masks in its factory.
Amazon’s policies pose a different problem, according to Jacobs’ report. Large manufacturers find it easier to reach customers on Amazon because the company buys their products in bulk to ship from its own warehouses, Jacobs writes. But the company’s policy on selling masks and the algorithms that govern their appearance in search are difficult for small businesses to navigate. Less secure alternatives like KN95 masks easily appeared in the research, while other manufacturers offering N95s on Amazon’s storefront were buried by the algorithm, the report said.
Ultimately, Jacobs’ article illustrates a disappointing arrangement: Online platforms are often the safest way to buy PPE, but they don’t always provide the safest product.
Check out Jacobs’ report at The New York Times’ website for the full picture.
[ad_2]
Source link