Trump: We need quarterback, not a backup

I cannot understand why President Trump did not have a national response to the pandemic by the end of February.

If he had enacted the Defense Production Act to require American manufacturers to begin making personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators and test kits, we would have brought manufacturing back to America, created jobs and kept costs down.

It would have saved many lives as well.

It’s horrible to hear that each state is having to compete not only against each other, but also against FEMA and every country in the world. Some governors have said they had a contract for PPE but couldn’t get it because the company got a better offer from someone else.

If we had these necessary supplies, especially test kits and test material, we would be able to reopen our economy.

The Trump administration does little to help this nation. I just don’t understand why the administration thinks the pandemic is a states’ problem and that the federal government is the backup when we need a quarterback.

Both our health and our economy demand action now.

This story was originally published May 16, 2020 at 8:09 AM with the headline "Trump: We need quarterback, not a backup."