New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo defended his recent request for 30,000 more ventilators from the federal government, saying it’s based on projections from health officials who are anticipating a spike in patients with the coronavirus.
“Yes they’re in a stockpile because that’s where they’re supposed to be because we don’t need them yet,” the Democrat said Friday during a press conference. “We need them for the apex. The apex isn’t here so we’re gathering them in the stockpile so when we need them they will be there.”
“I hope some natural weather change happens overnight and kills the virus globally. That’s what I hope, but that’s my hope, that’s my emotions, that’s my thoughts. The numbers say you may need 30,000,” Cuomo said.
On Thursday night, President Trump questioned projections of the virus: “I have a feeling that a lot of the numbers that are being said in some areas are just bigger than they’re going to be.”
Ventilators are a critical piece of medical equipment that could, for COVID-19 virus patients, be the difference between life and death. Officials at several hospitals in the New York City area have said they are running out of the necessary supplies to fight the outbreak of the pandemic.
On Sunday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, a key member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, assured state leaders such as Cuomo that they will get the necessary resources they need.
“I think the reality, not the rhetoric, but the reality is that the people who need things will get what they need,” Fauci said Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union. “There’s a reality and a rhetoric. I think that — I mean, I know the spirit of the task force, and when we talk about when people need things, doesn’t matter who they are — we try to get them what they need.”
Trump said Saturday the USNS Comfort, a massive military medical ship, will deploy to New York City to help with patients. At the president’s direction, the National Guard has also been deployed to New York City’s Javits Center, which will serve as a makeshift hospital for more potential COVID-19 virus patients.
