Turns out N95 masks are quite high-tech, and even China is having trouble scaling up its production. They're made of a material, meltblown fabric, which only a limited number of factories are capable of producing.
IDK. I get that it's a hard problem, but it's a solvable one. It's not like it's some equation or law of science that needs to be discovered. It can be solved with money and effort. :\ I get the economics don't work out in normal times for a reserve like this, but that's exactly what an insurance policy (i.e. a federal reserve of medical supplies) is for.
It's just like nukes. We have a stockpile of them that are maintained... nukes are very hard to produce... etc. etc.
The only real facility for high volume production in the US is 3M in Minnesota, I believe. Current estimates place supply chain matching demand in 80-90 days (though I don't know if that's domestic or worldwide).
The problem is harder if we demand flexible fabric. That isn't how gas masks are done. With a canister filter, all sorts of options become possible. We could use sintered glass, ceramic, or metal. We might be able to use aerogel, diatomaceous earth, or metal foam. We could even go electronic, with a UV light.
Filters with greater air flow resistance can be used if we add a blower. Remember that the virus can enter via eyes. Eyes need protection. Eyes also need air, and it can't be humid or the protection will fog up. For this too, a blower would help.
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/03/16/8149292...