Blue5, on 23 March 2020 - 09:07 PM, said:
I listen to shows on LBC, Talk Radio and watch Question Time and up until this outbreak, I have never heard of any reports concerning the supply of PPE in the NHS. We are seeing unprecedented levels of WORLDWIDE demand for such products to tackle what I hope, perhaps stupidly, is a one-off issue. Add into the equation the provinces where these items are manufactured, the fact that factories were shut in January due to communities being in lockdown, manufacturers being under pressure to satisfy home markets, supply to global markets was inevitably going to be tested.
If people think other sectors are awash with products, think again. Most manufacturers and importers are prioritising consignments for NHS Supply Chain, if and when they receive them.
You're right. NO government was or could've been prepared for this plague.
However Johnson clearly stated they'd been stockpiling such PPE at a presser last week. Only for Hancock to yesterday admit that wasn't the case after days of frontline staff saying as much.
I suppose a PM has some leeway in terms of quelling panic at a time like this, but his catalogue of previous means this one had even more reason to be straight.
By the way, I've just seen Farage hammering the government on TV. Why they think the unelected leader of a defunct party is in any way relevent I've no idea, though I look forward to our friend 'S&D' condemning him for politicising current events...