Lack of Federal leadership causes scramble for medical equipment as U.S. states and hospitals compete for rare supplies

covid19

Lack of Federal leadership causes scramble for medical equipment as U.S. states and hospitals compete for rare supplies

Chris LAVOIE

March 25, 2020

Lack of Federal leadership causes scramble for medical equipment as U.S. states and hospitals compete for rare supplies — hospital medicine surgery doctor

A mad scramble for masks, gowns and ventilators is pitting states against each other and driving up prices. Some hard-hit parts of the country are receiving fresh supplies of N95 masks, but others are still out of stock. Hospitals are requesting donations of masks and gloves from construction companies, nail salons and tattoo parlors, and considering using ventilators designed for large animals because they cannot find the kind made for people.

The market for medical supplies has descended into chaos, according to state officials and health-care leaders. They are begging the federal government to use a wartime law to bring order and ensure the United States has the gear it needs to battle the coronavirus. So far, the Trump administration has declined.

Read the rest of the story at The Washington Post.

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