Protective Equipment Supply Nearly Depleted 

The current supply of protective equipment to deal with the coronavirus crisis has almost been exhausted, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

The department’s April 8 press release noted that about 90 percent of its stockpile of protective equipment, such as surgical masks, face shields, gowns, respirators and other medical supplies, has been distributed to state and local governments for medical use. 

The remaining 10 percent will be retained by the department for federal use, according to spokeswoman Katie McKeogh. This means state and local governments won’t see any more protective equipment from the federal government for the time being.

Disagreement abounds over who is to blame for this issue. Medical staff all over the nation have taken to social media to show their dissent with the shortages by taking photos of themselves with self-made protective equipment, which has been proven nowhere near as effective as the real thing.

President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has said states should have been better prepared well in advance, and the federal stockpile should only be used when no other options remain.