Question

covid- 19 strained the global health care system. one of the biggest problems due to the global pandemic is supply cannot meet demand for medical equipment like masks, gloves, and ventilators. the vast majority of those infected by the coronavirus do not need hospitalization, but the demand for medical equipment soared. one piece of lifesaving medical equipment that was in scarce supply was mechanical ventilators. a ventilator helps patients who cannot properly breathe on their own by pumping air into their lungs through a tube that has been inserted into their windpipes. (nbcnews.com>elizabeth chuck, 3/25/2020)1. how was demand impacted due to the current us & global pandemic?2. which life-saving medical equipment was scarce- explain why!

Explanation:

1. For the first question: The text states that during the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for critical medical equipment (including masks, gloves, and ventilators) soared sharply, even though most infected people did not need hospitalization.
2. For the second question: Mechanical ventilators were scarce. This was because they are life-saving devices for patients who cannot breathe on their own, and the surge in severe COVID-19 cases created a massive, unexpected spike in demand that outpaced available supply.

Answer:

1. Demand for medical equipment (masks, gloves, ventilators, etc.) soared sharply during the US & global COVID-19 pandemic, despite most infected people not needing hospitalization.
2. Mechanical ventilators were scarce. They are used to support patients who cannot breathe on their own, and the sudden, large number of severe COVID-19 cases caused a massive surge in demand that exceeded available supply.