Following more than 20,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New York and a state of emergency for New York State, Congressman Anthony Brindisi (NY-22) and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) urged Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to use Department of Defense personnel to consider retrofitting old hospitals and facilities across Upstate. Brindisi and Stefanik noted the shortage of facilities and thanked Secretary Esper for the Army Corps work so far.
“Our nation is at a critical point in the national response to the coronavirus pandemic,” Brindisi and Stefanik wrote. “We know that the Department of Defense is working closely with other Departments and public health officials to respond to this crisis. We are particularly concerned with the shortage of hospital beds, certain medical supplies and personal protective equipment, and facilities to accommodate patients. We strongly encourage you to consider Upstate New York when deploying these resources, including communities across New York’s 21st and 22nd districts.”
Earlier this month, Brindisi and Stefanik urged the President to declare New York state a disaster area. Days later, the President heeded their call and declared New York a disaster area freeing up critical resources.
