https://freerepublic.com/tag/xissociatedpress/ en-us Mon, 6 Apr 2020 10:29:20 GMT Focus Forum 15 https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3832178/posts WASHINGTON (AP) — After the first alarms sounded in early January that an outbreak of a novel coronavirus in China might ignite a global pandemic, the Trump administration squandered nearly two months that could have been used to bolster the federal stockpile of critically needed medical supplies and equipment. A review of federal purchasing contracts by The Associated Press shows federal agencies largely waited until mid-March to begin placing bulk orders of N95 respirator masks, mechanical ventilators and other equipment needed by front-line health care workers. AP https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3832178/posts#comment Mon, 6 Apr 2020 10:29:20 GMT