General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTrump Won't Order Vital Coronavirus Supplies Because Corporate CEOs Asked Him Not To
One of the most mind-boggling aspects of the coronavirus crisis in America is the fact that one of the wealthiest countries in the world doesnt have the basic medical supplies necessary to deal with the situation. In addition to a lack of beds, hospitals across the nation have nowhere near the number of ventilators and masks doctors require to both do their jobs and protect themselves. While governors have pleaded with Donald Trump to help them obtain such equipment, hes literally told them theyre on their own, seemingly forgetting the fact that hes the one with the power here. For instance, Andrew Cuomo cant invoke the Defense Production Act, which allows the federal government to take some control of the private sector to ensure production of materials relevant to national defense, but Trump can. And yet hes chosen not to. Why? Because corporate CEOs dont like the idea, and the president is more concerned with keeping big business happy than keeping Americans alive.
Yes, according to the New York Times, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and heads of major corporations have lobbied the administration against using the act, arguing that it could impose red tape on companies at a time when they need the government out of their hair. Unsurprisingly, free market die-hard Larry Kudlow, i.e., Trumps never-right National Economic Council director, was persuaded by such arguments, as was Trumps not-very-bright son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Instead the Trump Brain Trust has insisted that it can just convince businesses to help bridge the shortfall of vital medical supplies without making a formal demand, an initiative that thus far has had predictable results:
The government has essentially thrown out its existing playbook for dealing with pandemics, seizing the issue from the Department of Health and Human Services and moving it to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. But it is far from clear that the effort to enlist companies like General Motors, Apple, and Hanes, just a few of the firms that have promised to free up existing supplies of masks or repurpose 3D printers to produce ventilator parts, constitutes an effective strategy.
In interviews with participants in the process, from business executives to government officials, there is still widespread confusion about how much and what exactly each firm is supposed to produce. Corporate executives say they face a bewildering number of requests from dozens of nations around the world, along with governors and mayors around the country, for scarce supplies. The White House has not said who will set the priority list for deliveries. And it is not clear that any of it will arrive in time for the cities and the states that are hit the hardest, including New York.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/03/donald-trump-defense-production-act
Delphinus
(11,830 posts)the repukes want to give them the money - instead of us.
rickford66
(5,523 posts)They're responding appropriately and will make more money as costs rise due to individual states bidding on available supplies.
Walleye
(31,022 posts)God forbid he should call heads of hospitals or health departments
Chainfire
(17,538 posts)Trump has told us over and over that he is a businessman. Why are people surprised?