If covid-19 were contained why would there be a mask shortage? Transmission in the general population seems necessary to cause a nationwide shortage in first pl

If covid-19 were contained why would there be a mask shortage? Transmission in the general population seems necessary to cause a nationwide shortage in first place. >The CDC (and frankly every major government in the world) believed that covid-19 could be contained There's plenty of photos from asian countries where mask use was immediate, wide spread, and effective.