Trump Gave China PPE: U.S. Suffers from Major Shortages as He Blames States

Earth's Major Threat 

Not a single worry here

(Except his TV ratings)

A story that can make you mad, angry, or disappointed – or all three:

(CNN)  American doctors and nurses are in desperate need of masks, gloves and other personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect themselves from contracting the coronavirus while treating those who are ill. Some of them are trying to find it on eBay while others are pleading for help on social media, or make-shift items themselves.

The situation is so dire that one NJ doctor described it as “medical professionals are like lambs to the slaughterhouse.” Concerns about a dwindling supply of PPE are not new still today.

Some context and background on this medical equipment crisis:

February 7: WHO sounded the alarm bells about “the limited stock of PPE” and noted that the demand was 100 times higher than normal for this equipment.

Yet on that very same day, Trump’s administration announced that it was transporting to China nearly 17.8 tons (more than 35,000 pounds) of “masks, gowns, gauze, respirators, and other vital materials.”  

Secretary of State Pompeo even noted in the press release that: “These donations are a testament to the generosity of the American people.”

At the time those medical supplies were being shipped, more than 28,000 people in China were infected with nearly 600 deaths attributed to the virus. 

So, how could Trump allow tons of vital medical equipment American doctors and others needed to be transported to another country in February if, as that he had claimed ever since January, that he fully understood the risk the United States was facing from the virus.

More on that:

January 21: The first known case of coronavirus case in the U.S. was confirmed.

January 22: Trump was asked about the virus while attending the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos by CNBC anchor Joe Kernen who asked Trump: “The CDC just identified a case of coronavirus in Washington state ... have you been briefed by the CDC?” 

Trump responded: “I have.” 

Kernen followed up: “Are there worries about a pandemic at this point?” 

Trump declared: “No. Not at all. And — we're — we have it totally under control. It's one person coming in from China, and we have it under control. It's — going to be just fine.”

January 30: Trump assured us that he understood the threat posed by the virus and was prepared, stating: “We have it very well under control. We're working very closely with China and other countries, and we think it's going to have a very good ending for us ... that I can assure you.”

February 5: U.S. lawmakers were pressing the Trump administration on its preparedness for a possible widespread coronavirus outbreak in across nation, even with some slamming the administration's failure to communicate with the states about how the White House would be addressing it.

February 6: There were 12 known confirmed cases in Wisconsin, California, Washington, Arizona, Massachusetts, and Illinois, yet mass testing not yet begun and thus, the number of infected was likely far higher. 

It was at this time that the Trump administration announced its aid transport to China with Pompeo bragging on Twitter that the administration had “coordinated with U.S. organizations to transport goods to China including, PPE.”

March 18: Trump defiantly told governors pressing him for help in their states to obtain similar equipment: “The federal government is not supposed to be out there buying vast amounts of items and then shipping them to states. We're not a shipping clerk.”

Story concludes at the CNN link.

My earlier posts here and here (he helped China, but not Michigan).

My 2 cents: And here we are today in the U.S. with over 180,000 cases and 3,565 deaths, growing hundreds a day in some places (NY for example stands at 75,800 cases and 1,550 deaths). No end apparently is in sight. 

This virus could also slow down, then make a U-Turn, and come back with a vengeance.

Daily tracker here – FYI.

Trump inaction or delayed action is the main cause of this across the country – that cannot be denied.

Thanks for stopping by.