Trump says US Strategic National Stockpile is nearly depleted

(CNN) https://livestream.com/accounts/25723746/events/8522569/videos/203867922 When asked if the US Strategic National Stockpile is nearly depleted, President Trump told reporters “It is. We are sending it directly to hospitals.”

Trump went on to echo statements he made yesterday that the federal government wants supplies to be directly shipped where they are needed, rather than sitting in a warehouse. 

“We don't want it to come to the stockpiles because then we have to take it after it arrives and bring it to various states and hospitals,” Trump said Wednesday during a coronavirus task force briefing. “We have asked states where they have large manufacturers of different types of equipment to use those local factories, local plants and have it made directly, ship it right into the hospitals."

Some context: The Strategic National Stockpile is deploying the last round of shipments in its inventory, depleting the bulk of its protective gear, a source familiar told CNN earlier today.

The official added that the stockpile was never meant to serve as the only source of protective gear for the entire coronavirus response and they said the states would need to get more supply from the private market.