Need a CT scan? You may have to wait weeks, thanks to lockdowns in China and dye shortages

May 31, 2022
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, a critical Shanghai plant that produces the dye has been operating at reduced capacity for weeks.
Hospitals low on contrast dye are doing some CT scans without it or are booking patients weeks or months in advance. 
Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images

Countries race to limit, ban exports of masks, ventilators, other gear

Mar 30, 2020
Individual governments have defended decisions to keep medical equipment at home, arguing they must take care of their medical workers and patients first.
A program to monitor global protectionism found governments placed 46 different export controls on coronavirus-related safety supplies and machines this year. Above, masks are produced at factory in Germany on March 12.
Thomas Kienzle/AFP via Getty Images