Just read this thorough and thoroughly devastating @washingtonpost report on how the administration squandered precious time in the COVID response.
Two things in particular jumped out at me.
1/x
Two things in particular jumped out at me.
1/x
Public health officials were raising alarms in January and by the middle of the month some were discussing using the Defense Production Act to speed manufacturing of supplies...
2/x
2/x
By early February, officials were warning that the U.S. would have dangerous supply shortages, including if the all-important N95 masks.
But administration has focused on this only recently, still doesn’t seem to have a handle on it.
3/x
But administration has focused on this only recently, still doesn’t seem to have a handle on it.
3/x
Meanwhile, Kushner has led a team that, supposedly, is addressing these issues.
Not clear what its net contribution is, but this reporting suggests his team’s requests — and White House impulses more generally — have been a constant distraction for officials like Fauci.
4/x
Not clear what its net contribution is, but this reporting suggests his team’s requests — and White House impulses more generally — have been a constant distraction for officials like Fauci.
4/x
And now, this morning, we have this report from @mbieseck
Purchase records show that federal agencies did not place bulk orders for masks, ventilators until the middle of March.
5/x
apnews.com/090600c299a8cf…
Purchase records show that federal agencies did not place bulk orders for masks, ventilators until the middle of March.
5/x
apnews.com/090600c299a8cf…
