On National Nurses Day, a Florida Congresswoman held a virtual roundtable with nurses and first responders.
A number of nurses told Democrat Lois Frankel that they still don't have enough PPE.
"We're provided one N-95 mask per shift, which is better than where we were. Over the course of the 12 and a half hours I'm using the one mask, which could equate to the 40 patients that I've passed by...or more."
Local fire chiefs also admit that medics are reusing masks on the job, including West Palm Beach Fire Rescue Chief Diane Maddy, who is also president of the Palm Beach County Fire Chiefs Association.
She said her first responders are wearing masks on every call and they can't get enough to avoid reusing them. The West Palm Beach Fire Rescue EMT's are average one mask per five calls.
Back to the nurses, who told Frankel there are no mandates for them to be tested for COVID-19 unless they're symptomatic.
There are several testing sites in Palm Beach County where people can go and be tested without presenting symptoms.
The representative doesn't think Palm Beach County is ready to reopen until that testing takes place.
"This is to me beyond ridiculous. We're going start to open the county back and our most essential workers have not even been tested. I mean that shows you how behind we are in the testing."
The numbers show that Florida tests for the coronavirus more aggressively than most states.
Frankel also said the shortage of PPE should change before any reopening happens.
"We're asking you all to put yourself at such a great risk, without many not really recognizing that the need is still so great."
The county is awaiting the governor's word on whether Palm Beach can join Phase One.
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