Washington state lawmakers warn health workers running low on protective gear

Ten members of Washington state’s congressional delegation are warning that health workers there are running low on protective equipment and are asking for access to the national stockpile in the fight against coronavirus.

The lawmakers write in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar that they have received reports that health workers are running low on personal protective equipment (PPE), which keeps them from getting infected as they treat patients.

The lawmakers write that they “remain deeply concerned that the current supply of PPE is inadequate to meet the need for PPE in Washington state.”

“As such, we urge you to fulfill requests from Washington state for distribution of PPE from the Strategic National Stockpile now and in the future,” they add.

The letter was led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D). It includes both of the state’s Democratic senators, Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, as well as one Republican lawmaker, Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler.

“Many health centers, nursing facilities, fire departments, and other sectors throughout the state have either depleted their supply of PPE or will run out in a matter of days,” the lawmakers warn.

The Washington State Hospital Association has warned that its hospitals are not getting enough protective equipment, and efforts to purchase it independently of the government have so far been “unsuccessful,” they added.

The King County Fire Department also recently had to quarantine firefighters who were exposed to coronavirus because they did not have protective equipment, their letter states.

It adds that one rehab center only has equipment for another week and its vendor is out of stock.

Washington state has been at the center of the coronavirus outbreak with over 600 cases and 40 deaths.

But experts warn there could be shortages of equipment in other states as well, especially if people do not avoid crowds and events are not canceled.