'Try Getting It Yourselves,' Trump Tells Governors About Medical Equipment Amid Coronavirus

[LiberalArkie]

Source: Huffington Post

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, President Donald Trump told governors on a call Monday that states should work on acquiring much-needed medical equipment, such as ventilators or respirators, themselves.

“Respirators, ventilators, all of the equipment — try getting it yourselves,” the president told the governors during a conference call, first reported The New York Times, which obtained a recording of the call. (CNN later confirmed the report.)

“We will be backing you, but try getting it yourselves. Point of sales, much better, much more direct if you can get it yourself,” he said.

Ventilators, in particular, are necessary to treat more severe cases of COVID-19, which affects the respiratory system. Health experts have expressed concern that there may not be enough ventilators in hospitals across the U.S. to meet the need if there is a significant increase in severe cases, as there have been in China and Italy so far.

Read more: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-governors-ventilators-coronavirus-equipment_n_5e6fce5fc5b63c3b6482a53e

[kairos12]

1. The you are on your own world by Trump.

[MosheFeingold]

14. The actual quote

Is as follows:

"We will be backing you, but try getting it yourselves. Point of sales, much better, much more direct if you can get it yourself."

The report is misleading. This statement is fine, and true.

This is NOT a time for partisanship -- or piss-poor reporting to get "clicks".

[Steelrolled]

15. That was my thought

States should be taking the lead, and should not be waiting for, or expecting, the federal gov to solve the problems. They are closer to the ground, and they can work in parallel.

It has always been said that you can get a lot more done if you don't worry about who will get the credit. We need this now more than ever.

[kairos12]

19. Interested in clicks. LOL.

If you think partisanship isn't part of what will be the Orange Blob's response you haven't been paying attention. Every response Chump has made to national disaster has been based on whether you are a blue or red state. Recall, his advice that California should do better with wild fires by vacuuming the woods. Never mind the optic of his tossing paper towels to the survivors in Puerto Rico.

Make no doubt. He wants to the states to rack up the bills for the needed medical equipment and the Trump, now representing the Feds, will stiff them. That is the way he operates. Down the road pay close attention to see whether Federal Aid gets disbursed based on the color of the State. Or who gets the MASH units or the spare ventilators held in federal stocks.

"We will be backing you, but try getting it yourselves." Trump backing CA, NY, or any other Blue State. Sure. Not holding my breath for one of those Fed ventilators.

[Lady_Chat]

22. +100

[MosheFeingold]

31. Huh?

So you support misquoting someone because he is a Republican asshole?

No thanks. I’ll take my news honest, please.

I’m not so fragile I can’t figure out Trump is an ass without some reporter lying to me to make him seem even worse than he is.

[kairos12]

32. Ok. Gotcha.

You go ahead and take Drumpt's words verbatim. The fragility you mention in reality is that of our democracy put in danger by those who want a stenographic copy of his vile words.

I read what he said. What I wrote was my interpretation. Notice there were no quotations around my original comment. If you want to read the exact copy of his words try the MSM. The same MSM that are still wondering about her emails.

16,000 lies and counting indicates Chump's exact words mean exactly nothing.

[Native]

2. He meant that they can get it faster than having to deal with the Federal gov't....

He's given them authorization to make the purchases - obviously the fed gov't will cover the cost. That's my understanding after watching this press conference.

[c_junk]

9. That's generous...

My understanding is that the government has a haphazard response, the required legislation is not yet passed (thanks McConnell and Gohmert). It's not obvious that he expects to repay state governments for their costs, it wouldn't make him any money. Remember the big orange shlub takes "no responsibility at all", for our lack of a pandemic response team. He did try to cash in by acquiring an exclusive license for a vaccine from a German bio firm, unsuccessfully, but that angered an entire country.

The belief that tRump will authorize repaying states is belied by the history of tRump's life and his record of being the subject of more than 3500 lawsuits for all sorts of shenanigans

[Lady_Chat]

23. +100

[Steelrolled]

17. Yep, this may be the most memorable moment in peoples careers.

I've worked in much less important events, but still ones where approvals that normally took a week were done in minutes, where vendors shipped products based on a PO given over the phone, or just the promise of a PO "coming soon", and where anyone available would jump in a truck on a moments notice, and drive 100s of miles to deliver something.

[winstars]

3. Maybe he knows a guy who knows a guy who can help them!!! WTF

[left-of-center2012]

4. In the virus press conference now going on ...

Trump said the federal government has stockpiles of ventilators, masks, etc
but the states should get their own.

[Delmette2.0]

8. Fend for yourselves.

"I'm not responsible", say our chickenshit pResident.

[Lady_Chat]

24. +100

[Igel]

16. Yes.

Consider these things.

1. In the federal system we have--not the ones many think we have, should have, or would have--responsibility starts at the bottom, not at the top. If there's a fire on your block, you don't call DC. If there's flooding in your city, your city has first dibs on handling it.

When a problem is too big at the bottom, it percolates up to the state. The state has the next level of responsibility to have plans, equipment, and be prepared. Their responsibility is independent--they don't have to ask for authorization from above.

*After* that, it's the feds' turn. The federal government doesn't have the equipment, skills, staffing, or knowledge for dealing with every local problem. They get asked for help, not for permission. Flip it and you get China, where the locals handle things but need permission. (That worked so well. But it allows for coordination in many ways--some good, some oppressive. People like trading freedom for oppression when going gets rough. Getting freedom back, not so easy.)

2. 45 days ago governors were saying we needed to do something, and Trump wasn't doing it.

3. There's a huge bill with a lot of $ dripping off of it. That was always a given--the size was the question, and that can always be adjusted after the fact.

4. The feds have a lot of stuff. They do *not* have enough ventilators for this crisis. And any reasonable person would say it should be reserved for those with the least ability to help themselves and with the greatest need. Right now all we see is the *earliest* need.

5. If we can get equipment we'll need now before it gets really bad, that's stuff we'll have. If we don't get it and things get really bad, there's no way to get that equipment later. Missed opportunity.

And yet for all the money and griping about how the feds were doing nothing, the two lower levels were basically assuming they could dip into the strategic stockpile.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/baldwin/2020/03/14/ventilator-maker-we-can-ramp-up-production-five-fold/#101a705c5e9a

Notice no big spike in orders. If 45 days ago it was foreseen we'd have a great need for ventilators--and, well, that was foreseen--what did the self-appointed Brights lecturing others about being incompetent do? Nothing but ventilate, as it turns out.

[Javaman]

5. he just tied their hands, put them in a row boat and kicked them away from the dock.

fucking psychopath

[Lady_Chat]

25. +100

[bucolic_frolic]

6. Our hospitals are larger and have more technology

but there are far fewer of them. For profit does not reward redundancy.

[procon]

7. How callous and insensitive is that!

The enormous buying power of the federal government would lower the price on crucial supplies and life saving equipment. Using the emergency powers of the government, Trump can demand manufacturers ramp up production and divert their efforts to meeting the urgent need for medical goods, hygiene products and consumer goods that are in short supply.

Does Trump think it's more important to save money than to save lives? He needs to refocus on what's important or this national emergency will escalate to the point that nothing will mitigate the increasing likelihood of a lethal snowball effect.

[EarthFirst]

10. He couldn't even give an estimated number of how many the federal government has in order today...

When questioned his response was “I’ll have to get back to you in that...”

Wouldn’t you think you’d have at least a ballpark figure to give the press?

[LiberalArkie]

11. Because they have all been enroute to Europe for over a week.

[EarthFirst]

12. +1

There are no number because there are no numbers...

[Evolve Dammit]

13. You're on your own suckers! God these sheeple are stupid. XXOO, 45

[DeminPennswoods]

18. Pence made a good point that there are masks for a lot more

jobs than healthcare occupations, but they aren't necessarily approved for medical use. If those masks can be used, then that would greatly expand the supply pretty quickly.

[Raven123]

20. I seem to remember candidate Trump extolling his negotiating skills

As President facing his greatest challenge he declines to do so on behalf of the American people. We all know why. He is afraid of an impending health care disaster and wants to blame everyone. That’s why he made Pence the face of the coronavirus response team. That’s why he won’t lift a finger to help the state governors.

[Lady_Chat]

27. +100

[slumcamper]

21. WHAT. AN. INCOHERENT. IRRESPONSIBLE. FUCKWIT. n/fucking/t

[Lady_Chat]

28. +100

[DonaldsRump]

26. Let's call it the "Trump Virus"...give credit where it's due. n/t

[kairos12]

33. Trumponic Plague.

[truthisfreedom]

29. Try getting it YOURSELF mr wasteoid, America's not your BITCH.

[treestar]

30. Reminds me of President Obama

being the opposite - went to NJ, walking with Christie, hugging people - when the hurricane hit there.