The causes of shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the United States during the first half year of the COVID-19 pandemic included

Multiple Choice

• Rather high U.S. taxes on domestic production of PPE.
• Chinese government restrictions that prevented Chinese firms from expanding production and exporting of PPE.
• Low initial levels of stockpiles of PPE in U.S. hospitals.
• The shift of U.S. households toward more consumption of nonmedical services.