Many similar stories on equipment / volunteers for the NHS. Suspicion of an overloaded and currently under-powered civil service struggling to turn ministerial promise into operation given these aren't actually simple issues.
Just to throw out a few issues - equipment has to actually be effective (for which we have regulations). Gov has to choose between suppliers. Costs will differ. Can factories actually produce (their own labour / social distancing)?
Meanwhile civil servants are getting used to home working, self-isolation, childcare, potentially care of vulnerable relatives. Individuals with specific relevant expertise (e.g. procurement of PPE) are probably thin on the ground and overworked. Others getting up to speed.
Not that the civil service can't achieve a lot, quickly. They already are doing. But the scale and speed of what is required makes for a ferocious challenge. So perhaps cut them a bit of slack for not having sorted everything in a couple of weeks.
