Should Trump Use the Army Corps of Engineers to Expand Hospital Capacity?

by Causes | 3.16.20

What's the story?

• New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) is asking President Donald Trump to mobilize the Army Corps of Engineers to expand hospital capacity as coronavirus continues to spread.

"Our best hope"

In an open letter to Trump in the New York Times, Cuomo wrote:

"States cannot build more hospitals, acquire ventilators or modify facilities quickly enough. At this point, our best hope is to utilize the Army Corps of Engineers to leverage its expertise, equipment and people power to retrofit and equip existing facilities — like military bases or college dormitories — to serve as temporary medical centers. Then we can designate existing hospital beds for the acutely ill."

He added:

"We believe the use of active duty Army Corps personnel would not violate federal law because this is a national disaster. Doing so still won’t provide enough intensive care beds, but it is our best hope."

Trump later tweeted:

• "Respirators, ventilators, all of the equipment — try getting it yourselves," Trump told the governors during the call, The New York Times reported.

"We will be backing you, but try getting it yourselves. Points of sales, much better, much more direct if you can get it yourself."

• More than 3,700 people have tested positive for the new COVID-19 disease in the U.S. and at least 71 have died.

For a politics-free guide to how to protect you and your loved ones from corona, click on over to our Coronavirus Info Center.

What do you think?

Should Trump mobilize the Army Corps of Engineers? Take action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman