[24gttghh]

The article seems bogus. The state is in the process of getting masks out to people:

""" As of Dec. 7, the state's PPE stockpile included:

    178.7 million N95 respirators
    339 million surgical masks
    63.8 million procedure gowns
    19.5 million face shields
    152.2 million sets of protective gloves

https://www.desertsun.com/story/money/business/2020/12/09/fr... """

That ain't half a billion N95 masks.