Even though President Donald Trump has invoked the Defense Production Act, the White House hasn't had to enforce that because businesses are stepping up to the plate to help fight the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus. Many businesses have seen the toll the virus has taken on their individual business and the economy as a whole. Businesses, like Hanes, have revamped their production lines to create necessary medical equipment.
According to Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) administrator Pete Gaynor, the president hasn't had to order businesses to produce medical supplies, like ventilators and personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks and gloves.
"We haven't [enforced] it yet. It's leverage to demonstrate what we can use it, the president can use it at any time," Gaynor told CNN's Jake Tapper. "It's really amazing how great America is. All these companies coming up and asking us what they can do to help. We haven't had to use [the Defense Production Act] because companies around the country – donations. They're coming up and saying, 'What can we do to help you?' And it's happening without using that lever."
Gaynor doesn't anticipate President Trump having to "pull the lever" and mandate businesses to produce supplies that are needed to treat the Wuhan coronavirus. He said the fact that businesses are naturally producing these goods is a sign of "America's greatness."
FEMA administrator Pete Gaynor says Trump hasn’t enforced the Defense Production Act to order companies to manufacture masks, ventilators and other critical supplies because they are being donated: “It’s happening without using that lever” #CNNSOTU https://t.co/2l0QErzeBB pic.twitter.com/dAQ0PY388v
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) March 22, 2020
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