The push to make personal protective equipment in the U.S. is running out steam after an initial surge at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

A Houston man has been sentenced to more than four years in federal prison for scheming to fraudulently sell 50 million non-existent N95 facemasks to the Australian government, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Experts say how often you can safely wear an N95 or KN95 mask will vary depending on how it’s used.

The Biden administration will begin making 400 million N95 masks available for free to Americans starting next week.

U.S. health officials have updated their mask guidance, encouraging more Americans to wear N95 or KN95 masks to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

A Houston man accused of scheming to fraudulently sell millions of N95 masks to the Australian government has pleaded guilty, according to a news release by the US Department of Justice.

HOUSTON An Austin-based company, the Good Air Team have designed dog masks that protect pets from toxins in the air. The K9 Mask provides N95 air filter protection against smoke, dust, bacteria, smog and other air pollutants, the company says. In 2019, Evan Daugherty and Kirby Holmes, the co-owners of the Good Air Team, launched a fully-funded Kickstarter campaign. The Good Air Team started in 2015 as an educational website about the damages of global air pollution and the solution of wearing a pollution air mask. The duo launched Pollution Air Mask, which protects people from air pollution using stylish designs with innovative face mask technology.

A FEMA official told CNN that FEMA reviewed the company, which is not a manufacturer, and believed it would be able to fulfill the contract. But when Panthera requested another delivery extension of 96 hours on May 11, FEMA denied the extension and canceled the contract. "In this case, FEMA awarded a $55 million contract to a company for 10 million masks that it did not deliver by the initial May 1 deadline or extended deadline of May 11. The health and safety of our first responders depends on obtaining a sufficient quantity of these essential N95 masks and other personal protective equipment." Since the coronavirus pandemic started, there’s been a global shortage of supplies — including N95 masks, gloves, surgical masks and disposable gowns — that would protect front-line and essential workers from the virus.

(CNN) – Ten Covid-19 unit nurses are heading back to work after being placed on paid administrative leave for refusing to enter coronavirus patient rooms without an N95 mask. "They said it would stay in our file for three months and then they will take it out," Cline told CNN. Before that, the hospital had said there were no N95 masks for them and insisted they wear surgical masks instead, the nurses said​, even though other health care workers at the hospital were provided N95 masks. Cline and Michael Gulick, another nurse put on leave, previously told CNN the hospital would give them surgical masks -- not N95 masks -- while they were treating Covid-19 patients on April 9. Although the N95 masks are preferred, health care workers should only wear other face masks, such as surgical masks, when respirators are not available.

Now, a local hospital says they’re reusing their N95 masks to ensure they’ll have enough to keep them going through this pandemic. Memorial Hermann is using specialized technology to sterilize these masks. That depends on the kind you're using. You can’t clean surgical masks. You’re still supposed to avoid touching your face while wearing masks.

Here is what you need to know about respirator masks and their effectiveness to protect against COVID-19:What is a respirator mask? How often should respirator masks be switched out? Respirator masks and facial hairThere are certain facial hair styles that may interfere with the effectiveness in protection against the coronavirus while wearing respirators. Other effective respirator masksOther respirator masks approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health include N99, N100, P95, P99, P100, R95, R99 and R100, according to the CDC. Find respirator masks in HoustonTo find a list of medical supply stores selling N95 respirators and their availability click here.

HOUSTON – A Houston area doctor says the N95 mask could help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Phone: (713) 529-4743This store is selling a lot of N95 masks. Holcombe Medical SupplyAddress: 2260 Holcombe Blvd. Phone: (832) 742-5712The N95 masks are in stock at this location. Complete Medical SupplyAddress: 1714 W 18th St.