[Goose]

Instead of blaming the states for an inadequate stockpile, it would be preferable to say, "here are the number of ventilators we have in the stockpile, here is how they are deployed, here are the numbers we are using to make the calculations of how to deploy them, and here is what we are doing to get more."  In a time of crisis, clear and transparent communication is paramount, and we have seen conflicting messages, misleading statements, which, frankly have been dangerous. The system will work best when the federal government and the state governments complement each other, instead of fighting one another.


BC

I think that the division of responsibility between the states and the federal government is appropriate. The current epidemic clearly demonstrates several problems. Clear thinking in times of crisis is often in short supply at all levels. If all the resources exist at the federal level, and if the feds don't "think clearly", everybody is screwed. Andrew Cuomo goes ballistic when he finds out the feds are holding back ventilators because there may be other hot spots. Rhode Island turns back people with New Your license plates. The states are players. They need to be positive players.

Congress has the same (or worse) political constraints on what they can actually get passed as the states do. The fact they can borrow money and run a deficit is not something that can or should be used to solve any and all problems. Disaster preparedness obviously wasn't a "hot button", as over several administrations the national stockpile of PPE was drawn down without replacement being purchased. The priority of disaster preparedness is always going to be an issue. If every level is approaching the problem as if they had to totally solve the issue themselves, we might actually have close to enough material when the time comes. The trick is to be properly organized to do so.

I favor a federal stockpile that can be focused on hot spots and moved around by the feds. The states also need a stockpile that is the minimum they think is adequate for the hospitals in the state. States can also share resources as we are now proving. It is great that the federal stockpiles can be fully utilized in regional disasters, and (hopefully) used intelligently in more widespread ones. However, everybody depending on the same stockpile and doing nothing themselves will for sure produce "double (or more) counting" and total failure in a situation like we have today.

It is surely true that the states and the feds should meet often and simulate this kind of situation. The federal and state responses need to be coordinated for best results. That is hard to do if not practiced. The fighting each other for limited resources is always going to be an issue, and having agreements in place on how to handle it are important. Just saying "the feds will do it" is politically untenable, because CNN will show some federal screwup and the pressure on Governor to "do something" will become too great. The Governors acting together can diffuse the pressure and provide a better outcome than relying on a central agency, especially in times when that central agency is not being outstandingly well supervised at the highest levels. The Governors are going to act in any case. It is best they have resources to act with, and experience working together so they can do so when needed. It appears that they have hammered out a way to avoid competing with each other too much. If this event had been practiced, it could have been much more seamless.

[Goose]

Instead of blaming the states for an inadequate stockpile, it would be preferable to say, "here are the number of ventilators we have in the stockpile, here is how they are deployed, here are the numbers we are using to make the calculations of how to deploy them, and here is what we are doing to get more."  In a time of crisis, clear and transparent communication is paramount, and we have seen conflicting messages, misleading statements, which, frankly have been dangerous. The system will work best when the federal government and the state governments complement each other, instead of fighting one another.


BC

I think that the division of responsibility between the states and the federal government is appropriate. The current epidemic clearly demonstrates several problems. Clear thinking in times of crisis is often in short supply at all levels. If all the resources exist at the federal level, and if the feds don't "think clearly", everybody is screwed. Andrew Cuomo goes ballistic when he finds out the feds are holding back ventilators because there may be other hot spots. Rhode Island turns back people with New Your license plates. The states are players. They need to be positive players.

Congress has the same (or worse) political constraints on what they can actually get passed as the states do. The fact they can borrow money and run a deficit is not something that can or should be used to solve any and all problems. Disaster preparedness obviously wasn't a "hot button", as over several administrations the national stockpile of PPE was drawn down without replacement being purchased. The priority of disaster preparedness is always going to be an issue. If every level is approaching the problem as if they had to totally solve the issue themselves, we might actually have close to enough material when the time comes. The trick is to be properly organized to do so.

I favor a federal stockpile that can be focused on hot spots and moved around by the feds. The states also need a stockpile that is the minimum they think is adequate for the hospitals in the state. States can also share resources as we are now proving. It is great that the federal stockpiles can be fully utilized in regional disasters, and (hopefully) used intelligently in more widespread ones. However, everybody depending on the same stockpile and doing nothing themselves will for sure produce "double (or more) counting" and total failure in a situation like we have today.

It is surely true that the states and the feds should meet often and simulate this kind of situation. The federal and state responses need to be coordinated for best results. That is hard to do if not practiced. The fighting each other for limited resources is always going to be an issue, and having agreements in place on how to handle it are important. Just saying "the feds will do it" is politically untenable, because CNN will show some federal screwup and the pressure on Governor to "do something" will become too great. The Governors acting together can diffuse the pressure and provide a better outcome than relying on a central agency, especially in times when that central agency is not being outstandingly well supervised at the highest levels. The Governors are going to act in any case. It is best they have resources to act with, and experience working together so they can do so when needed. It appears that they have hammered out a way to avoid competing with each other too much. If this event had been practiced, it could have been much more seamless.