As they fight the Covid-19 epidemic, hospitals and health care workers across the country are facing a shortage of personal protective equipment, or PPE.

But doctors and nurses are not the only ones who use that equipment – and therefore they’re not the only ones facing a shortage.

“Right now there’s a real shortage of PPE, so we’re doing everything to conserve what we can get,” says Chapel Hill Fire Chief Vence Harris.

Harris says first responders like firefighters rely on PPE for protection every time they respond to a call – including “gowns that cover our clothing, gloves, masks, and eye protection.”

And first responders are not the only ones. State Representative Graig Meyer says the PPE shortage is also a serious concern in agriculture.

“One challenge right now is that farmers are actually a primary user of PPE, particularly the N95 masks,” Meyer says. “That’s because when they spray pesticides … they need that level of protection for their workers.”

Rep. Meyer says he’s been in contact with state officials who are trying to address the problem – but it’s got to be done quickly, as farmers are heading into fertilizing season.

With so much demand, it’s not going to be easy to address the PPE shortage. But there is some good news. Local residents, businesses and other organizations have come through in recent weeks, donating PPE in massive numbers for hospitals and health care workers. Those donations will help make it easier for first responders, farmers, and other workers to find PPE as well.

And Chief Harris says his crews are taking steps to reduce the amount of PPE they use – and even find ways to reuse some equipment.

“We’ve reduced our response down to one person (instead of four) making contact” on a given call, Harris says. “(And) we’re looking at different ways to wear our structural gear – or anything else that can be decontaminated…

“We’re also exploring options with Duke University and UNC Health at maybe decontaminating those N95 masks. Those are real critical resources.”

And if you’re a farmer and you’re having trouble acquiring those masks and other PPE, Meyer says the advice from state officials is to contact your extension agent for help.

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