About a year ago the acronym PPE didn’t have much meaning for most people. It sounds like a utility company.
The COVID crisis, though, made it a mainstream term.
PPE used to be reserved for hazardous environments. It is classified at four levels: A, B , C and D.
Level D is just a hard hat and boots. Level A is a totally encapsulated moon suit with an air tank. Level B is protective clothing and an air tank (like a fire fighter).
Level C PPE is an air purifying respirator and protective clothing. It is used for things like asbestos cleanup, COVID wards and demolition work. (The guy in the photo is in level C PPE.)
We’ve been living in a level C world the past year. I’m glad it’s not level A.