Gov. Inslee Asks Washington Businesses for Help in Bridging PPE Shortage

Governor Jay Inslee held a press conference Wednesday to encourage the joint effort happening across the state of Washington, while also asking for Washingtonians' help in producing personal protective equipment (PPE).

Inslee said there are three supply chains feeding the front lines; hospitals and other medical clinics, the state government, and the federal government.

"So we have ongoing orders out for supplies from the federal stockpile," Inslee expalined, "but the federal government has not been able to supply them to us fast enough to meet the need. The fact of the matter is we need to seize our own destiny."

Inslee says his administration remains hopeful the federal government will engage the Defense Production Act to require manufacturers to make PPE products.

Much of the press conference was directed toward the private sector. Inslee called on private manufacturers to ask themselves if they can change their operations in any way to produce PPE.

The governor pointed to World War 2 as an example of Washington state's ability to mobilize. The state produced B-29s in Seattle and minesweepers in Bainbridge Island.

To find out how you can help, go to coronavirus.wa.gov.