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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsU.S. sent millions of face masks to China early this year, ignoring pandemic warning signs
In light of yesterday's revelations, this seems even more criminal
U.S. sent millions of face masks to China early this year, ignoring pandemic warning signs
In January and February, the United States shipped millions of masks to China from companies such as 3M.
In January and February, the United States shipped millions of masks to China from companies such as 3M. (Justin Chin/Bloomberg)
By Juliet Eilperin, Jeff Stein, Desmond Butler and Tom Hamburger
April 18, 2020 at 2:13 p.m. EDT
U.S. manufacturers shipped millions of dollars worth of face masks and other protective medical equipment to China in January and February with encouragement from the federal government, a Washington Post review of economic data and internal government documents has found. The move underscores the Trump administrations failure to recognize and prepare for the growing pandemic threat.
In those two months, the value of protective masks and related items exported from the United States to China grew more than 1,000 percent compared with the same time last year from $1.4 million to about $17.6 million, according to a Post analysis of customs categories which, according to research by Public Citizen, contain key personal protective equipment (PPE). Similarly, shipments of ventilators and protective garments jumped by triple digits.
While the percentage increase of exports to China was steep, they represent a small fraction of the overall U.S. need. Throughout the country, the shortage has forced hospitals, nursing homes and first responders to ration masks and other protective gear as they treat infected and high-risk patients, creating a secondary health crisis among first line providers.
more...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/us-sent-millions-of-face-masks-to-china-early-this-year-ignoring-pandemic-warning-signs/2020/04/18/aaccf54a-7ff5-11ea-8013-1b6da0e4a2b7_story.html
stillcool
(32,626 posts)where'd that end up? As always, the money leads. We know so much, but at the same time we know nothing. We read the stories, but there's never an ending. Just stuff moving around.
DSandra
(999 posts)They didnt get PPE because of Trumps incompetency or even malice?
Over 900 healthcare workers have died as of a month ago...
https://khn.org/news/exclusive-over-900-health-workers-have-died-of-covid-19-and-the-toll-is-rising/
stillcool
(32,626 posts)from day 1, people knew how to prepare, and what needed to be done. Worse than doing nothing, the administration produced obstacles for states trying to get what they need. The federal government outbidding states for ppe. Ugh. When I read what I just wrote, it's unfathomable that we're living through this whacked out reality.
DSandra
(999 posts)If society is to be preserved, every effort must be made to suppress the free reign of these people. Unfettered capitalism has made America a breeding ground of these people, and the infestation has gotten to a critical level now.
GusBob
(7,286 posts)The Chinese leader told DT the virus was deadly, highly contagious and airborne, so he arranged to have the masks sent there?
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)Not a coincidence. A series of acts of treason.
stopdiggin
(11,415 posts)but not really a whole lot. Since nobody actually believed the "downplay" or "under control" hogwash anyway.
The PPE was shipped (by private concerns) -- because that's what generally happens during a international crisis. It was kind of SOP.
Was the administration incompetent and unprepared on virtually every conceivable level?
Yes -- and according to most measures the Pope is still Catholic.
But I don't think we should confuse science becoming subservient to politics -- as a lack of understanding on anybody's part. That was never the problem.
babylonsister
(171,111 posts)There are many fools who take him at his word despite facts to the contrary. Witness the ones who injected disinfectant or are munching away on hydroxychloroquine.
stopdiggin
(11,415 posts)or "facilitating" shipments to China.
So -- in the context of the discussion or the OP? Nobody.
I don't concern myself much with the goobers in Mississippi. Except when they're shooting up churches or schools (or peaceful protests). And, yes the Donald does inherit some (large) measure of responsibility there -- but that's a different discussion.
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fescuerescue
(4,448 posts)China certainly needed them in January.
Chinese people are no less human than us. And if it had been contained in China. It wouldn't be here now.
In any event, it sounds like the manufacturers sold them to China. I don't think that it was a Trump directed operation.
SO i'm ok with helping fellow humans. We didn't need them in January and China desperately did.
We should have used the lead time to make more for us though.
stopdiggin
(11,415 posts)No need to turn an ordinary compassionate gesture into a political football.
Plenty of other things to point to in this whole bumfuggle mess.
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)We have to make them pay a very high price.