Statement from spokeswoman for Bill de Blasio – April 6, 2020
“New York City has the best Health Department and largest public hospital system
in the nation, yet we are facing the same challenges with supplies as virtually every
other city in the world. From the beginning of the administration, we have
emphasized the importance of disaster scenario planning and repeatedly asked our
federal partners for assistance. Unfortunately, our pleas fell on deaf ears.
Cities do not typically stockpile ventilators; that is a responsibility left to State and
Federal governments. Local governments, even New York City, are forced to act
within inherent restraints. Despite our best efforts to stretch our resources, there
was no foreseeing a crisis of this magnitude.
We will continue to marshal every possible resource to our hospitals and frontline
healthcare workers to keep our City safe.”