Memorandum authorizing general use respirators during COVID-19
🏥 Healthcare · First Term (2017–2021) · 🤖 AI-categorized
On March 11, 2020, President Trump signed Memorandum 2020-05580 directing the Food and Drug Administration to allow manufacturers to produce general use respirators (non-medical masks and coverings) without prior approval. The memorandum removed regulatory barriers to expand respirator availability during the COVID-19 pandemic. This enabled broader civilian access to respiratory protection equipment during the early pandemic response.