Manufacturers rushed to produce protective supplies such as masks, face shields, and gloves at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic with assistance from grants provided by the government because it was profitable. However, this is no longer as effective for buyers or manufacturers as it was two years ago.

Halcyon Shades, which used to make window shades, is one of the businesses struggling with this issue. The owner, Jim Schmersahl, said, “So far, it has been a net drain of funds and resources and energy.” Based on interviews with manufacturers done by the Associated Press, companies that had been producing protective gear with great motivation are faltering and shutting down, some having already sold the equipment they bought to manufacture the gear.

Government officials made the need for U.S. production of protective gear apparent. Companies who took on the task are now facing repercussions involving logistics, regulatory approval, and less demand of product. American Surgical Mask Co. was one of the latest to close up shop on April 1st. CEO Matt Brandman told the Associated Press, “I’m just done with the fight.”

Unrealistic deadlines were made by government agencies and hospitals were contracted with well-established suppliers. No one is rushing for protective gear any longer, causing many problems for the newer manufacturers, after each swell of coronavirus cases, sales would fall again. “At the end of the day, when everybody said they wanted American-made, nobody’s buying, not even the state. We’re kind of upset about the whole situation,” said Tony Blogumas, vice president of Green Resources Consulting, which has only sold a few thousand masks.