FILE - In this April 10, 2020, file photo, wearing protective masks ground crew at the Los Angeles International airport unload supplies of medical personal protective equipment from a China Southern Cargo plane. Before the coronavirus outbreak, many states had only a modest supply of medical equipment. An Associated Press review of more than 20 states found that many were still storing items that were left over from an influenza pandemic a decade ago and long since expired.
An Associated Press review of more than 20 states found that before the coronavirus outbreak many had at least a modest supply of N95 masks, gowns, gloves and other medical equipment. But those were often well past their expiration dates — left over from the H1N1 influenza outbreak a decade ago. The coronavirus crisis spawned a political blame game over the shortage of protective gear for medical workers and the hunt for ventilators. Some governors harangued the federal government for leaving them in the lurch. President Donald Trump faulted states, tweeting earlier this month: “The complainers should have been stocked up and ready long before this crisis hit.”
“Since outbreaks and the resources needed are not predictable, purchasing a large stock of supplies that could expire or become obsolete is not a responsible use of state funds,” the health agency said in a budget document submitted to Gov. Mike Parson and state lawmakers. Federal public health funding for states has been on a downward slide since new programs were launched after the 2001 terrorist attacks and anthrax scare. The Public Health Emergency Preparedness program provided $675 million last year — down 28% since 2003, according to the nonprofit Trust for America’s Health. The Hospital Preparedness Program provided $265 million last year — down by almost half during that same period.
Michigan, which has the third-highest coronavirus death toll among U.S. states, had 53,500 gloves left over from past epidemics, 5,120 N95 masks, 5,000 surgical masks and just 500 face shields among its pre-coronavirus supplies. Contrary to Trump’s assertion that states bore the primary responsibility for stockpiling medical supplies, many states had depended on the federal government to store provisions in case of emergencies.
JaceLGalloway Ask the rest of the states. In Florida, this is a true statement.
sorry, i'm too distracted by that guy's fabulous joker mask to read the story.
What shoddy reporting!
It’s sad when states have to start on the down-low so the people in their state can get the things they need.
Why is that? NO ONE rebuilt supplies after SARs. Obama just didn't see the need.
With these dweebs wearing them outside and wearing them out (no pun intended) at the same time, I’m sure they are running out.
How do gloves go bad?
Blame Obama for gutting it and Trump for not resupplying.
Yep, Obama administration never restocked national supply after H1N1
Trumps fault.... Yup!
Hospitals should be able to dry sterilize the masks/gowns.
How do sealed gloves and masks expire?
What influenza pandemic? I don’t remember the economy crashing. I don’t remember the government taking away my rights and liberties for a Flu pandemic.
Why do they have decade old supplies and why didn’t someone realize this years ago and replenish them?
we have money for cops but not money for ppe for our nurses n dr's, wtf
I bet it was all Obama's fault.
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