The Federal Emergency Management Agency has begun shipping medical supplies to states from the national stockpile, but some state officials say some of the supplies are expired, according to an article on the ABC News website. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised public health officials to use the expired items
"The respirators exceeding their manufacturer-designated shelf life are only being released due to the potential urgent demand caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency,” according to the CDC.
The Strategic National Stockpile is a supply of drugs and medical supplies for use in a public health emergency. The warehouses and their locations are kept a secret for national security purposes.
A nurse from the Washington, D.C., said: "Unless it's soiled or covered in sand dust, I'm not turning anything down. Anything is better than a bandana or scarf in these extraordinary times."