Nation’s Infectious Diseases Leaders Send United Message
President Trump Must Invoke Defense Production Act Now for Medical Supply and Equipment Production
March 23, 2020
Infectious diseases and HIV physicians, healthcare epidemiologists and other medical professionals on the frontlines defending our country from COVID-19 urgently need equipment and supplies to protect themselves, identify infections, treat patients, and save lives. In health settings across the country, we are confronting shortages of essential equipment—including viral culture swabs, gloves, masks, eye protection, gowns and ventilators—that we need now to diagnose and treat patients and to maintain a healthy and sufficient workforce in the face of this fast-moving and destructive virus.
The Defense Production Act was created to maintain our nation’s security by ensuring sufficient supply and distribution of critical resources during times of crisis. We ask President Trump to immediately implement it to increase production of urgently needed medical supplies and equipment before it is too late.
As leaders of organizations representing infectious disease, healthcare epidemiology and pharmacological specialists and health providers, we urge President Trump to respond swiftly and strongly to the evolving and increasing needs that this pandemic will continue to present.
Thomas M. File, Jr., M.D., FIDSA — President, Infectious Diseases Society of America
Judith Feinberg, MD, FIDSA — Chair, HIV Medicine Association
David K Henderson, M.D., FIDSA, FSHEA — President, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America
Kristina A. Bryant, M.D., FPIDS — President, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society
Jason M. Pogue, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP — President, Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists
