Governors, medical community beg for Trump to invoke Defense Production Act for urgent needs

      Elected officials, hospitals and doctors have been making increasingly desperate pleas for President Trump to use the powers of the Defense Production Act to speed manufacture of critical medical supplies for COVID-19 treatment. The supplies needed include masks, gowns and ventilators.

      The medical community members report they are forced to reuse masks and they are fearful of becoming infected. In Italy, more than 2,600 medical staff have been infected with COVID-19 while treating patients.

      While Trump has made contradictory statements on the DPA, FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor on March 22 said on CNN “State of the Union” that the DPA was not being used to date.

      Gaynor told CNN that donations and voluntary offers of assistance were sufficient at this time. "If it comes to a point we have to pull the lever, we will," he said.

      However, the groups facing shortages said starting DPA production immediately would save lives.

Read more:
For links to other news stories and COVID information: click here

DOD contractors are ‘critical’ now: DOD

      Defense Dept. Under Secretary Ellen Lord released a memo on March 20 stating that DOD contractors are part of the nation’s critical infrastructure, and as such have a “special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule” during the coronavirus pandemic.

      The memo was obtained by Washington Technology.

      The memo does not directly address issues such as telework and performance issues.

Read more:
Washington Technology story:https://bit.ly/2WJFYit

Inside this COVID-19 Edition:

Congress acts on med/econ aid

Eased terms for contractors

SBA OKs disaster loans; gives guidance on contracts, work

Set-Aside Alert Coronavirus Resources

Wong leaves SBA

Anti-discrimination clauses suspended

DOD vendor dies of COVID

Contractors ask for guidance on equitable adjustments

COVID buys hit $42M in a week

Velazquez introduces small biz COVID relief bill

Washington Insider: