Amid the coronavirus pandemic, President Donald Trump told governors on a call Monday that states should work on acquiring much-needed medical equipment, such as ventilators or respirators, on their own. “Respirators, ventilators, all of the equipment — try getting it yourselves,” the president told the governors during a conference call, first reported The New York Times, which obtained a recording of the call. “We will be backing you, but try getting it yourselves. Ventilators, in particular, are necessary to treat more severe cases of COVID-19, an infection that affects the respiratory system. “It’s always going to be faster if they can get them directly, if they need them, and I’ve given them authorization to order directly,” Trump told reporters.

Source: Huffington Post March 16, 2020 19:33 UTC