US mulls using sweeping powers to ramp up production of coronavirus protective gear

Passengers wear face masks to protect against the spread of the coronavirus as they arrive on a flight from Asia at Los Angeles International Airport, California. Mark RALSTON/AFPWASHINGTON: President Donald Trump's administration is considering invoking special powers through a law called the Defence Production Act to rapidly expand domestic production of protective masks and clothing to combat the coronavirus in the United States, two US officials told Reuters.

During an inter-agency call on Wednesday, officials from HHS and the Department of Homeland Security discussed the possibility of invoking the Defence Production Act for the manufacture of"personal protective equipment" that can be worn to prevent infection, according to a DHS official. Invoking the law is one of a number of options under consideration by the administration to combat the virus, the officials said, and no final decision has been made.

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