According to James Malley's research and tests by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, UV light helps decontaminate traces of COVID-19 on N-95 respirator masks.
This suggests that N95 respirators (which are thicker, more rigid, and designed to form a close seal around the nose and mouth) should be reserved for riskier situations.
The authorities have stockpiled 68m courses of antiviral drugs, 18m respirators and 31m face masks, and are investing in research to create better ones.