U.S. Supplies of Covid-19 PPE Fall Short of Targets - The Wall Street Journal

by Baluster Medical December 14, 2020

As Covid-19 cases continue to surge in unpredictable waves, hospitals and other health care providers are still unable to obtain adequate supplies of personal protective equipment. Critical PPE, such as nitrile examination gloves and N-95 respirators, are in short supply worldwide. As 2020 comes to a close and FEMA, the US Strategic National Stockpile, and other federal programs are unable to deliver, many institutions are turning to private vendors.

“We don’t have the proper PPE,” said Shantonia Jackson, a certified nursing assistant with SEIU Healthcare Illinois in Chicago. “We just have the regular masks you can buy at Walmart,” she said, adding that she has been unable to obtain respirator masks.

"New Mexico requested gloves from FEMA months ago; they arrived last week damaged by heat and couldn’t be used for medical procedures, according to Marisa Maez, communications director for the state’s department of health. The state turned to private vendors."

"The supply of surgical gloves at Alabama’s Department of Health is critically low, according to Dr. Karen Landers, assistant state health officer. She says Alabama is expecting more gloves from FEMA soon. A FEMA spokesman said an order for gloves was approved for shipment to Alabama on Nov. 23."

Read the Full Article from The Wall Street Journal Dec. 9, 2020

PHOTO: EMAN MOHAMMED FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL