First, with Dr. Lin's firing I think it's important to note that the article does not comment on any of the communications that happened between Dr. Lin and the hospital after the social media post.

Second, in regards to Dr. Ringwelski I want to add that if the hospital had PPE that confirmed to CDC guidance having any staff use their own medical supplies could open up serious legal liability. Granted this is pure speculation, but I am guessing that the current hospital policies and procedures in dealing with an employee using personal obtained supplies were black and white in how to deal with Dr. Ringwelski--granted these policies were likely written at a time where no one foresaw the situation we currently find ourselves. 

More importantly the hospital is justifying their actions on not letting Dr. Ringwelski use her N95 mask because the cumbersome and ever shifting CDC guidelines, in my opinion, clearly show (by relaxing the standards of adequate PPE) that the CDC is more worried about healthcare professionals walking off the job and unions striking than protecting healthcare workers. 

Additionally, these stories highlight an important fact that most employees do not know their employment contracts well enough to know what they can and cannot be fired for. I urge every physician to thoroughly read their contracts and ask HR (in writing) what a provision means if it is not blatantly clear.