What is up with the federal government SEIZING PPE shipments to states and hospitals?

[mysteryowl]

There are two key issues to consider here.

One is that the federal government is telling states that they are responsible for getting their own supplies and should only appeal to the federal government in emergencies. (See the recent debate about who the federal stockpile is for.) But at the same time federal authorities are seizing shipments that states, local governments and major medical organizations have purchased. At best this is a contradictory and poorly communicated policy.

It’s also very unclear just who is seizing the supplies, what they’re being used for or who is getting access to them. The assumption seems to be that they are being handed over to FEMA for distribution to other parts of the country. As explained by Admiral Polowczyk on Thursday at the White House briefing) or whether they are being distributed to other parts of the country on a preferential basis. We simply don’t know. It’s unclear to me yet whether these suspicions are based on actual information received by those who have had their shipments confiscated or whether it’s just speculation and suspicion in a chaotic and frustrating situation.

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/whats-up-with-the-feds-seizing-ppe-shipments-to-states-and-hospitals

This article is from 4/4/2020 and this is still happening. On Thom Hartman Show today, he said there is a shipment of PPE from China coming in, location not stated to protect the situation, and the National Guard will be there to meet the supplies. NYT and MSN had reported on this too.

Does anyone know what is going on?

[kysrsoze]

1. I'm sure it's Dump's dirtbag brigade rounding up to send to ultra-rich's private island bunkers

You can rest assured this isn't being done for the good of the country.

[tblue37]

2. And now he's threatening to withhold supplies from states with Democratic governors

unless they suck up to him and also send everyone back to work at his command.

[Trailrider1951]

3. Those supplies are two things:

1. Leverage to extort governors of states that are unwilling to get with his program of "opening up the country", i.e., if they do not cooperate with his dictates, they do not get the supplies they need.

2. Sold to the highest bidder, probably at immensely inflated prices, they become $$$$ in his pocket through kickbacks and other graft.

We are in a world of hurt here. Somebody 25th amendment his ass!

[msongs]

4. trump company business model - lie cheat steal then bail out and claim no responsibility nt