Letter to the Trump Administration

Background

• Who has authority to force companies to make PPE? The Trump administration by invoking the Defense Production Act. While Trump has ordered the DPA for the manufacturing of ventilators, he has not used it to its fullest authority. We are calling for him to take immediate action to produce much needed equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) for our healthcare workers. 
• In addition, roughly 40% of the N95 government stockpiled masks—an estimated 5 million of the 12 million to 13 million—are expired. As of early March, the Department of Health and Human Services estimated that the U.S. has only about 1% of the N95 masks it would need for a “full-blown” pandemic, which would require up to 3.5 billion N95 masks over a year. Even if the pandemic were less severe, tens of millions of masks would still be needed each month. Last month, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar estimated a minimum of 300 million would be necessary.
• It is estimated that the state of New York—the epicenter of the health crisis— currently at this time has only 25% of the N-95 masks needed. A survey of 213 cities by the US Conference of Mayors found that an alarming 91% of cities lack the masks needed for first responders and medical personnel, and 88% lack other necessary PPE. Taking action must happen now!