The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the availability and management of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the United States. When the virus first struck, states were caught off guard and scrambled to acquire masks, gloves, and gowns to protect their frontline workers. However, as the pandemic began to subside, many states found themselves facing a surplus of PPE that was nearing its expiration date.

One such state is Ohio, which recently auctioned off 393,000 gowns for a mere $2,451 and ultimately had to dispose of 7.2 million pieces of PPE, including expired masks and gloves. These supplies, which had cost the state $29 million in federal money, were no longer in demand, and with expiration dates passing, they were deemed unsuitable for use. Ohio is not alone in facing this predicament, as an Associated Press investigation found that at least 15 states across the country have had to discard their excess PPE due to expiration, surpluses, and a lack of willing takers.

The sheer volume of PPE being thrown away is staggering. Over 18 million masks, 22 million gowns, and 500,000 gloves have been disposed of nationwide. These numbers do not include states that either did not provide the AP with exact figures or responded with alternative measures. Rhode Island, for example, reported getting rid of a staggering 829 tons of PPE, while Maryland disposed of over $93 million worth of supplies.

The wastefulness of discarding these supplies has raised concerns about the country's preparedness and public health system. Dr. Georges Benjamin, the executive director of the American Public Health Association, described it as a real waste and a consequence of a bust-and-boom public health system, where a lack of planning leads to panicked over-purchasing during emergencies. He emphasized the need for better management of stockpiles to prevent such wastage in the future.

States have emphasized that they distributed far more gear than they discarded and have made efforts to donate the leftover supplies. Washington state, for example, sent hundreds of thousands of supplies to the Marshall Islands, but still had to throw out millions more items after they expired. Many states have also chosen to keep a portion or all of their remaining protective gear and plan to update their stockpiles accordingly.

The expiration dates on PPE are crucial because materials can degrade over time, compromising their effectiveness. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has set the fair market value of expired supplies at zero dollars, highlighting the urgency in disposing of them. Louis Eubank, who oversees the South Carolina health department's COVID-19 coordination office, acknowledged the frustration of witnessing unused supplies go to waste after the difficulties faced in acquiring them initially.

The high demand for PPE during the early stages of the pandemic led to a global bidding war, as states and the federal government scrambled to secure enough supplies. In 2020 alone, states spent over $7 billion on PPE, ventilators, and other medical devices in a seller's market. The federal government ultimately footed the bill for many of these supplies. The Ohio Department of Health spokesperson, Ken Gordon, explained that there was no way to predict the duration of the supply deficit or the quantities needed at the time of purchase.

Striking a balance between preparedness and surplus is a major dilemma faced by governments. Scott Amey, of the Project on Government Oversight, described the challenge as a result of short memories and tight budgets. Despite promises to be better prepared, memories of the pandemic's impact have faded, and budget constraints have limited investments in PPE stockpiles.

Some states have made decisions that have further exacerbated the issue. In Wisconsin, for example, a legislative committee removed $17.2 million from the budget that would have funded a warehouse with a 60-day supply of PPE for two years. The state Department of Health Services is now trying to donate the supplies and has already discarded nearly 1.7 million masks and almost 1 million gowns.

Minnesota's Department of Health, on the other hand, has allocated funds for retaining and restocking PPE and is currently strategizing. Despite their efforts, the agency expects to dispose of a few expiring gowns. The Health Industry Distributors Association recommends that distributors maintain a 60-to-90-day supply to guard against demand spikes. However, it is deemed unnecessary for everyone in the supply chain to have such a large cushion.

Missouri's health department has maintained a 90-day supply, even keeping expired materials in anticipation of their potential use in emergencies. This approach proved beneficial during the COVID-19 pandemic. Paula Nickelson, Missouri's health director, stressed the importance of making investments, even if they are never used, to ensure preparedness and the ability to assist the public when needed.

Pennsylvania officials have taken a different approach and aim for a 15-day stockpile. They have engaged in frank conversations about what they can realistically afford to keep and replace as items expire. Andy Pickett, the Health Department's emergency preparedness and response director, explained that this approach allows them to balance preparedness with financial constraints.

In Nevada, the challenge lies in finding willing recipients for their aging PPE. Jack Robb, the director of the Department of Administration, stated that the state is working to dispose of the supplies safely while avoiding unnecessary waste. However, he acknowledged that officials made the best decisions they could at the time, given the unprecedented nature of the disease and its devastating impact globally.

As the country navigates the aftermath of the pandemic, the issue of managing PPE stockpiles remains a significant challenge. The wastage of millions of dollars worth of supplies raises questions about the effectiveness of the public health system and the need for improved planning and preparedness. The memories of the crisis may fade, but the lessons learned should not be forgotten as the nation strives to avoid a.