California

Federal certification ‘delayed’ for the N95 masks California ordered from China

FILE - In this April 10, 2020, file photo, ground crew at the Los Angeles International airport unload pallets of supplies of medical personal protective equipment from a China Southern Cargo plane upon its arrival. An Associated Press review of more than 20 states found that before the coronavirus outbreak many had at least a modest supply of N95 masks, gowns, gloves and other medical equipment. But those supplies often were well past their expiration dates, left over from the H1N1 influenza outbreak a decade ago. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)
FILE - In this April 10, 2020, file photo, ground crew at the Los Angeles International airport unload pallets of supplies of medical personal protective equipment from a China Southern Cargo plane upon its arrival. An Associated Press review of more than 20 states found that before the coronavirus outbreak many had at least a modest supply of N95 masks, gowns, gloves and other medical equipment. But those supplies often were well past their expiration dates, left over from the H1N1 influenza outbreak a decade ago. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File) Richard Vogel AP

Federal certification for the N95 masks California ordered from Chinese company BYD has been “delayed,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday.

California paid $3.30 per N95 mask in its deal with BYD, according to an invoice provided to The Bee and other news outlets Wednesday morning. Last month, the state wired BYD a $495 million up front payment for the masks, which are believed to be the best protection for doctors, nurses and other critical workers against the coronavirus.

Newsom acknowledged that his administration was slow to release COVID-19 contracts, including the BYD contract, to the public, saying he did not want the details to jeopardize receipt of the masks. The state released the contract late Wednesday, after the governor said the equipment was arriving.

“We negotiated a pretty good price in the middle of all of this,” Newsom said, noting that other states were paying $6, $7, even $12 a mask.

BYD spokesman Frank Girardot said California is paying a base price per N95 mask of $2.88 and that the additional cost is from shipping, taxes and other pass through costs.

“There’s nobody that can manufacture these masks in the quality or quantity we can,” he said. “We’re proud of what we’re doing and believe we’re well suited to do it in a way that benefits California and the taxpayers of California.”

He said the masks are “in the process” of being certified and that the company is confident they meet federal standards.

This story was originally published May 6, 2020 at 1:05 PM with the headline "Federal certification ‘delayed’ for the N95 masks California ordered from China."

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Sophia Bollag
The Sacramento Bee
Sophia Bollag was a reporter for The Sacramento Bee’s Capitol Bureau.
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