Southwestern Illinois awaits PPE shipment from federal stockpile to fight coronavirus
Hospitals in the metro-east are awaiting a much needed shipment of personal protective equipment, or PPE, from the federal government’s stockpile, St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern said Tuesday.
“Unfortunately, it appears stockpiles were not sufficient to handle this pandemic,” Kern said in a phone call with other regional leaders. “We’re working with what we have, but my concern is the medical community appears pretty tired. They shouldn’t have to worry about reusing a mask or a gown. They should be able to count on those supplies being there for them.”
Kern said the county is fortunate hospitals such as Memorial, St. Elizabeth’s and Touchette Regional Hospital have “stepped up.”
“But they got to have the PPE and testing necessary to do their job,” he said.
The chairman praised Gov. J.B. Pritzker for his order for Illinois residents to shelter in place.
“Unfortunately, when you have a piecemeal effort going on in some states, that’s a problem,” Kern said. “What we don’t want to happen is to have an area that all of a sudden becomes a hotspot and reinfects the region.”
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has faced criticism for shifting the responsibility of dealing with the coronavirus crisis to local counties and municipalities.
