A Face Mask Given to This Blogger When Visiting a Local Vet Several Days Ago.

Governor Janet T. Mills pressed the Federal government to provide more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and testing supplies to the State of Maine. In a letter to Vice President Mike Pence and US Secretary of Health & Human Services Alex Azar.  Governor Mills requested that the Federal government expedite the release of PPE from the Strategic National Stockpile and pushed for “a steady and reliable supply” of testing materials as the outbreak intensifies according to a press release issued by the office this morning.

The request from the Governor regarding PPE comes after Maine received a limited disbursement from the Strategic National Stockpile.  The State also placed an early order through a private manufacturer, which it hopes to receive in the coming days.  While Maine will continue to pressure other sources of PPE, the State has exhausted the options within its control and is relying on the Federal government to meet this urgent need.

“In the setting of a national emergency, states should not have to struggle with equipping front-line providers with PPE given the supplies on hand at the SNS.  At present, the demand from providers and first responders in our state will soon oustrip our available supply, even with the initial distribution,” Governor Mills wrote in the letter.

“The sooner that SNS can distribute additional PPE, the sooner that the State of Maine can work with the health care system in Maine to distribute those supplies and ensure our readiness before our health care system experiences a surge in cases.”