You can't ramp production that fast, especially since so many factories moved to China. So given a limited resource, you have to discourage people from buying o

You can't ramp production that fast, especially since so many factories moved to China. So given a limited resource, you have to discourage people from buying out all the supply so you can preserve your healthcare capability of the medical staff. I would guess it's a judgement call that ensuring medical personnel have masks is a greater epidemic fighting effect relative to the epidemic reduction in casual people wearing masks. You can always publicise an alternate policy when the mask supply does increase later..