CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Senator Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., is asking for an update on the stockpiles of medical supplies available across the United States as the coronavirus spread becomes even more urgent.
His request went to the federal coronavirus task force.
“Given the scale of the threat that COVID-19 poses to public health, responding to the outbreak is placing substantial strain on state, local, territorial, and tribal public health agencies’ already-limited resources,” Manchin wrote.
“Furthermore, states and health care facilities who are trying to do as the President says and ‘get it yourself,’ find that the supply simply is not available.”
Across the nation, doctors and hospital administrators have been warning for weeks that they face acute shortages of masks and lifesaving equipment such as ventilators.
The supply has been so troubling that the Centers for Disease Control is offering advice on how medical staff can survive during a contagious disease outbreak without proper facemasks.
Vice President Mike Pence, during a Saturday news conference, said the federal government had placed orders for “hundreds of millions” of the N-95 face masks that can shield medical workers from the virus.
Neither President Trump nor Pence said when the masks would be ready.
Hospitals in West Virginia are already worrying.
Charleston Area Medical Center is asking volunteers who have the ability to sew to make masks.
On Friday, CAMC President Dave Ramsey put out a video statement saying health care providers feel abandoned by state and federal government.
“We can’t get the equipment we need, we can’t get the testing we need, it’s as though they’re ignoring the people on the front line who are really taking care of patients,” Ramsey says.
He said he has relayed that message to Manchin and U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito.
“Hopefully that message came through,” Ramsey said. “Hopefully we will see the equipment we need, the supplies we need.”
West Virginia’s Center for Threat Preparedness sent a letter last week to federal officials saying protective equipment for healthcare workers provided so far to prepare for a possible coronavirus outbreak is woefully inadequate.
The letter says West Virginia requested 160,000 N95 masks, and the state was notified it would receive almost 18,000. When a shipment arrived, it included only 2,200.
Similarly, West Virginia anticipated more than 42,000 face/surgical masks “and received zero.”
Following that, Gov. Jim Justice announced the state has purchased 100,000 N95 surgical masks from a private company.
Justice says 30,000 masks will go to emergency responders and 70,000 will go to DHHR to be distributed.
And, he said, the state purchased “highly-protected suits” for $600,000. “That gives us an extra layer of protection,” he said.
Justice followed up at a Friday briefing by saying he expects the shipment by Tuesday or Wednesday of this week.
Manchin wants to be assured the supply will be enough.
His letter requests the Trump administration provide Congress the answers to these questions:
- What is the current status of supplies in the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) that may be used in the COVID-19 response? Please include data on which, and the number of, pharmaceuticals, personal protective equipment, and any other medical supplies currently in the SNS that may be utilized in the response.
- What is the current nationwide status of supplies and equipment available to test for and treat COVID-19 and what is the quantity of supplies and equipment the administration has determined is necessary to fully provide states, local, and tribal organizations with what they need throughout the length of the pandemic? Please include the quantity of personal protective equipment (including N95 Respirators and Surgical Masks, gloves, gowns, face shields, eye protection), testing supplies (including reagents and swabs), and ventilators that is currently available and the quantity needed throughout the length of the pandemic.
- What is the current total nationwide COVID-19 diagnostic testing capacity for public health, commercial, and academic laboratories per day? What is your plan to increase testing capacity? When will testing capacity be sufficient to be fully responsive to the current outbreak?
- What is your plan to mobilize the private industry to manufacture supplies and equipment under the DPA and what is your timeline on invoking that power?
- What is your plan for using the MEP network to identify manufacturers with excess or idle production capacity? What are your plans for organizing MEP and National Institute of Standards and Technology expertise and resources to optimize production?
During a press call with reporters late last week, Manchin said he is deeply worried about protective gear for medical workers.
“If we can’t protect them oh dear lord help us if they get sick on us,” Manchin said. “If your medical providers get sick and can’t be at work then you just double any problems you have.”
Manchin said he participated in separate calls Thursday evening with the West Virginia Nursing Association and the West Virginia Medical Association.
“I’m raising cain about not having respirators and ventilators. We don’t have nearly enough,” he said. “There’s no other state more at risk than we are.”