California Releases Half of State's N95 Stockpile

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has ordered the release of up to half of California's emergency stockpile of specialized masks so that health care providers can protect patients and themselves from the spread of the H1N1 flu.

The move comes as part of the state's ongoing emergency response efforts to combat the spread of the virus.
The governor said he has directed the Department of Public Health to issue the N-95 masks to hospitals and clinics.