A plea for help from one of President Trump’s favorite groups, first responders, has gone unanswered as it fights the coronavirus on the front lines despite a lack of tests and protection equipment.
In an April 8 letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar from the National Sheriffs’ Association, a group often seen at the White House, President Daron Hall implored the administration to find supplies for law enforcement, EMTs, and firefighters.
“We need your help: Our men and women — sheriffs’ deputies, officers, firefighters and EMTs — are in harm’s way and in desperate need of scarce lifesaving COVID-19 test kits and personal protection equipment,” he wrote.
The Nashville, Tennessee, sheriff added, “The first responder community has insufficient protection and access to testing. Their wellness, and the safety of our communities, is paramount. As industry and government identify new paths to protect and respond, we ask for your additional assistance to first responders to fight the virus.”
While the administration has bragged on its ability to locate equipment and deliver it to those on the front line, the association said it has not received any response from HHS.
An HHS spokesperson told us that the department has received several letters for help from Congress and state leaders and is working to respond. The official added, “We continue to maintain an open line of communication with members of Congress and state and local officials while helping coordinate the response to the public health emergency.”
Trump has been very supportive of first responders and sheriffs. He has invited them to the White House several times and has a campaign arm devoted to sheriffs.
In his letter, Hall asked that HHS urge governors and local officials to prioritize first responders for the rapid tests. He also sought “priority access” to a system used to clean personal protective equipment like hard-to-find masks.
What’s more, he asked for help identifying infected people and pledged to help stop virus scammers.
“NSA is ensuring that first responder’s voices are heard by the private sector and by our partners in local, state and federal governments. First responders are cherished for their valor and are in our prayers daily. We appreciate any help on these matters. Our first responders protect us. We must protect them, too,” he said in the letter, which was also sent to Attorney General William Barr, Trump adviser Jared Kushner, and Robert Kadlec, the HHS assistant secretary in charge of preparedness and response.
