TIME

Markets are failing us

Many Americans, and those around the world, are mystified by the apparent shortages of N95 masks, protective gear, ventilators and other materials essential for battling COVID-19 effectively. After all, aren’t markets supposed to respond quickly and efficiently to changes in demand? They seem to be failing us, just when we need them most.

New York, the epicenter of the U.S. coronavirus crisis, is clamoring for medical supplies. Trump has said, Don’t look to us, the federal government. He even argued that states should compete in getting the supplies they

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