Washington (CNN)Nearly four months after invoking a 1950s-era law in order to compel businesses to manufacture equipment for the fight against the coronavirus, the Trump administration has made only sparing use of its authorities, leaving front-line workers in dire need of supplies like masks, gowns and gloves amid the recent surge in cases.
The Department of Health and Human Services listed 19 companies that have received contracts under the Defense Production Act to produce emergency supplies, including 600 million N95 respirators and face masks. But experts say it's not enough and that the effort started far too late.
Only about half the masks ordered will be delivered by the end of this year.
While large health systems and hospitals have been able to build up their inventories of equipment through preexisting contracts, smaller physicians' offices and assisted living communities have had trouble getting what they need. As states have reopened and schools and businesses scramble to obtain their own protective gear, demand is likely to continue to outpace supply.
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https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/13/politics/delayed-use-defense-production-act-ppe-shortages/index.html
