Increased production doesn’t occur because the economics don’t work, it doesn’t occur because there’s just no way to physically ramp up production that fast. That’s not really a critique of the economics. If production could be increased that fast the manufacturers would.
An important point the article didn’t address is that high prices direct resources to more important uses. If prices are very high then hospitals may be the only ones who can afford them, versus people on the street.
Outlawing price gauging alone just ensures masks go to people who don’t need them as much as doctors. Price ceilings don’t force masks to go to doctors. That’s why governments are forcing masks to go to healthcare, regardless of price.
An important point the article didn’t address is that high prices direct resources to more important uses. If prices are very high then hospitals may be the only ones who can afford them, versus people on the street.
Outlawing price gauging alone just ensures masks go to people who don’t need them as much as doctors. Price ceilings don’t force masks to go to doctors. That’s why governments are forcing masks to go to healthcare, regardless of price.