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Eugene

(61,900 posts) Sun Mar 22, 2020, 07:11 PM Mar 2020

AP FACT CHECK: Trump falsely says ventilators coming 'fast'

Source: Associated Press

AP FACT CHECK: Trump falsely says ventilators coming ‘fast’

By TOM KRISHER and HOPE YEN
March 22, 2020

DETROIT (AP) — President Donald Trump is falsely claiming that automakers including GM, Ford and Tesla are pitching in to manufacture medical ventilators “fast” to help fill an acute U.S. shortage of the medical equipment for coronavirus patients.

Ford and GM have yet to start, and it would take them months, if not longer, to begin production, if it’s even possible.

A look at the claim:

TRUMP: “Ford, General Motors and Tesla are being given the go ahead to make ventilators and other metal products, FAST! @fema Go for it auto execs, lets see how good you are?” — tweet Sunday.

TRUMP, on addressing a shortage of ventilators: “General Motors, Ford, so many companies — I had three calls yesterday directly, without having to institute like: `You will do this’ — these companies are making them right now.” — briefing Saturday.

THE FACTS: No automaker is anywhere close to making medical gear such as ventilators and remain months away — if not longer. Nor do the car companies need the president’s permission to move forward.

Neither GM or Ford is building ventilators at present, while Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted Friday that his company was “working on ventilators” but he didn’t specify how long it might take. His tweets also questioned the need and said it couldn’t be done immediately.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/17868870ddfc526c6c7f454d651b6d7f

4 replies

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AP FACT CHECK: Trump falsely says ventilators coming 'fast' (Original Post) Eugene Mar 2020 OP

The constant gaslighting is just infuriating... Docreed2003 Mar 2020 #1

I have never been so happy to have been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea Submariner Mar 2020 #2

CPAP machines could easily be adapted for use as ventilators. rickford66 Mar 2020 #3

Oh wow. That's a great idea. There are thousands of CPAP machines out there. SunSeeker Mar 2020 #4

Docreed2003

(16,863 posts)

1. The constant gaslighting is just infuriating...

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Sun Mar 22, 2020, 07:17 PM

Mar 2020

People are dying and this fucker is just pulling shit out of his ass

Submariner

(12,504 posts)

2. I have never been so happy to have been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Sun Mar 22, 2020, 07:23 PM

Mar 2020

last summer.

At 73 with COPD and an asbestos stain in my left lung from a Navy asbestos removal job, I feel I have a huge bullseye on me.

Medicare sent me a CPAP machine awhile ago, which is essentially a ventilator forcing air into my lungs as I sleep. I can also crank it up to Warp speed 8 and make it pump hard and use it while awake, if needed. With no cure or help at all at the hospital when this thing gets real bad, I hope i have a hedge against suffocating while quarantining in place.

rickford66

(5,524 posts)

3. CPAP machines could easily be adapted for use as ventilators.

Reply to Submariner (Reply #2)

Sun Mar 22, 2020, 07:52 PM

Mar 2020

There was a post here on DU where a guy did just that. I'm sure the manufacturers should be able to do it also.

SunSeeker

(51,572 posts)

4. Oh wow. That's a great idea. There are thousands of CPAP machines out there.

Reply to Submariner (Reply #2)

Mon Mar 23, 2020, 01:54 AM

Mar 2020

Indeed, America may have more CPAP machines than ventilators.

Your best bet is to lock yourself in your house with your CPAP machine for the next couple months.

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