[melaniejs (OP)]

Paul is concerned about PPE:

Why cannot masks and the other PPE be disinfected, washed, and used again?

What do you think?

[chris]

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is considered single use; it would be a huge risk, and very energy and time inefficient, to attempt to recycle it, so it is incinerated. 

[Bored chemist]

Also, on a simple practical note some bits are made from essentially, paper.

[Edwina Lee]

In Hong Kong, government advised health workers to re-use the clinical grade masks by heating them in a dry rice cooker for 10 minutes.  Re-use up to 4 times. i.e. use 5 times.