U.S. entrepreneur James Mault is hanging his hopes on March 1. That's the day his Chinese manufacturing partner is supposed to reopen and start churning out medical devices after shutting down over the coronavirus.

The battle to contain the Chinese coronavirus threatens to cut off U.S. companies from parts and materials they need to produce iPhones, automobiles, appliances and for treating medical conditions including Alzheimer's disease, high blood pressure and malaria.