BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — When we think of professionals who wear personal protective equipment, such as masks and gloves, we think of doctors, nurses and other first responders who often wear them. However, morticians also use personal protective equipment, also known as PPE, to protect themselves daily.

“We have to be able to have access to the same equipment that hospitals and care facilities have,” said Kenny Mount, Managing partner of Mission Family Mortuary.

Mount said right now they have a good stock of PPE but with morticians also taking extra precautions when removing bodies from hospitals and nursing homes they are using more PPE.

With medical supply companies out of stock or backed up with orders, Mount is already looking at other alternatives such as tattoo suppliers, who also sell masks and gloves.