This is not just a New York problem. The lack of equipment to properly treat the coronavirus is a nationwide “crisis that has reached epic proportions,” according to a just released report from the non-partisan U.S. Conference of Mayors. A survey of city leaders shows nearly 90% lack the proper equipment.
“Despite their best efforts, most cities do not have and cannot obtain adequate equipment and supplies needed to protect their residents,” the report says. “This is a life-threatening crisis that will continue unless the federal government does everything in its power to help us safeguard our first responders and health care workers — our first line of defense — and the millions of other public servants in our cities whose work today puts them at risk.”
The Washington Post reports: “Taken together, the cities reported a need for 28.5 million face masks, 24.4 million items of personal protective equipment such as gowns and gloves, 7.9 million test kits and 139,000 ventilators.“
President Trump expressed skepticism Thursday night that New York State, which needs 30,000 ventilators according to the governor, actually needs that many.