Wisconsin lawmakers ask for emergency medical supplies

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Seven members of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation on Wednesday said the state was running “critically low” on needed medical equipment to combat the spread of the virus and asked the federal government for immediate help.

The lawmakers sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to request nearly 55,000 respirators, more than 130,000 surgical masks, nearly 25,000 face shields, more than 20,000 surgical gowns, about 100 coveralls and 72,000 gloves from the national stockpile.

The lawmakers asked when the state could expect the supplies, whether the stockpile would be replenished, if production was bring ramped up to ensure there’s an adequate supply and what was being done to respond to other critical supply shortages.

The letter was signed by U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson along with U.S. Reps. Mark Pocan, Ron Kind, Gwen Moore, Bryan Steil and Mike Gallagher. Only Reps. Glenn Grothman and Jim Sensenbrenner, both Republicans, did not sign. They did not immediately return messages asking why they didn’t sign it.