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We originally promised tweets about social and behavioral science today, but since it has been in the news so often lately, we're going to shift gears and talk about the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).
#COVIDContext
#COVIDContext
In yesterday evening's White House briefing, President Trump's son-in-law, White House Senior Advisor, Jared Kushner discussed the Strategic National Stockpile and its deployment to the States.
So what is the SNS, and how does it help in an emergency?
So what is the SNS, and how does it help in an emergency?
The SNS was originally created in 1999 as the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile to prepare the nation for potential agents of bioterrorism, such as botulism, anthrax, smallpox, plague, viral hemorrhagic fevers, and tularemia.
The events of September 11, 2001 and subsequent anthrax attacks prompted a change in legislation, strengthening the stockpile and expanding its capacity. In 2003, it was renamed the Strategic National Stockpile.
View a timeline of SNS responses here: https://www.phe.gov/about/sns/Pages/responses.aspx
View a timeline of SNS responses here: https://www.phe.gov/about/sns/Pages/responses.aspx
The SNS is not housed in one location, but as the name suggests, strategically housed in locations around the country.
This placement allows for quick deployment of resources in an emergency, assuring delivery of "Push Packs" in 12 hours to any location in the country.
This placement allows for quick deployment of resources in an emergency, assuring delivery of "Push Packs" in 12 hours to any location in the country.
These 12-hour Push Packs contain a variety of medicines and medical supplies for responding to a variety of emergencies.
https://ftp.cdc.gov/pub/MCMTraining/Miscellaneous%20Resources%20and%20Documents/SNS_Push%20Package%20Catalogl_2-1-12.pdf
https://ftp.cdc.gov/pub/MCMTraining/Miscellaneous%20Resources%20and%20Documents/SNS_Push%20Package%20Catalogl_2-1-12.pdf
There are other pre-packaged supplies available through the SNS, including CHEMPACKS, intended for response to nerve agent attacks, and Federal Medical Stations, which include supplies needed for persons with special medical needs during disasters:
https://www.phe.gov/about/sns/Pages/products.aspx
https://www.phe.gov/about/sns/Pages/products.aspx
In a pandemic, there is a need for more Personal Protective Equipment (masks, gloves, gowns, face shields) and ventilators, so in this case the SNS has focused on sending out those items.
As of March 31st, the SNS has deployed the following resources in response to COVID-19:
As of March 31st, the SNS has deployed the following resources in response to COVID-19:
Read more about the SNS response to COVID-19 on their website: https://www.phe.gov/emergency/events/COVID19/SNS/Pages/FAQ.aspx#sns
Deployment of resources from the SNS are generally coordinated by Regional Emergency Coordinators (REC) from the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR).
There are 11 regional offices, and an advisory office in Atlanta.
https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/responders/rec/Pages/default.aspx
There are 11 regional offices, and an advisory office in Atlanta.
https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/responders/rec/Pages/default.aspx
Requests for support are coordinated by these offices when "state, local, tribal, and territorial responders request federal assistance to support their response efforts".
https://www.phe.gov/about/sns/Pages/default.aspx
https://www.phe.gov/about/sns/Pages/default.aspx
These photos from Wisconsin show what a delivery of supplies from the SNS looks like, and how it is received: https://www.nbc15.com/content/news/PICTURES-Wisconsin-health-workers-unpack-supplies-from-569337501.html
The SNS has depleted most of it's available supplies of relevant resources at this point, keeping only a small percentage on hand for extreme emergencies. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-stockpile/on-our-own-now-us-strategic-stockpile-empty-of-medical-supplies-idUSKBN21I3FE
So, are states and local governments receiving all of the supplies they need from the SNS?
The short answer is no, but as presently organized, the SNS is only intended to provide quick delivery of medical supplies until other supplies can be procured.
The short answer is no, but as presently organized, the SNS is only intended to provide quick delivery of medical supplies until other supplies can be procured.
The SNS website states that it maintains enough supplies for "multiple large-scale emergencies simultaneously". But as we've seen, a global pandemic outpaces this capacity.
When the pandemic is over, will the SNS be changed to meet this need or will new solutions emerge?
When the pandemic is over, will the SNS be changed to meet this need or will new solutions emerge?
In 2016, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, & Medicine organized a workshop to discuss improvements to "the Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Sustainability" of the stockpile.
You can view summaries of their presentations and discussions here: https://trid.trb.org/View/1415700
You can view summaries of their presentations and discussions here: https://trid.trb.org/View/1415700
To learn more about the global shortage of PPE, and how other countries are responding, read here from Isabel Togoh ( @bissieness) for @Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/isabeltogoh/2020/03/31/heres-how-some-of-the-countries-worst-hit-by-coronavirus-are-dealing-with-shortages-of-protective-equipment-for-healthcare-workers/#36eb78d42c13
We'll discuss supply chains and the private sector response to the PPE shortage in coming days.
In the meantime, check out our Twitter lists of experts to follow later today, and as always, @ us with your questions and recommendations!
In the meantime, check out our Twitter lists of experts to follow later today, and as always, @ us with your questions and recommendations!
