a $63 million advance purchase order from the u.s. government. all told, washington is spending $1.7 billion to help american companies manufacture ppe at home after the pandemic exposed how dependent the u.s. is on foreign sources, which is a vulnerability in public health emergencies. another american startup, usa gloves outside houston, was created by former importers who found it almost impossible to buy gloves from abroad. they don't have any government investment yet, but once the machines are finally up and running next month, they hope to turn a profit from private sales. even with higher prices than asian brands. >> hospitals and clinics and even end users are willing to pay that slight premium so that, you know, we're prepared for a future pandemic. >> reporter: it's still early days, but experts say it is essential for the u.s. to make more of its ppe at home. the question is -- >> whether people will remember