The COVID-19 pandemic has put pressure on everyone, but no one has been hit like the medical personnel.

According to Santa Fe Reporter, there are 4,138 total cases of Coronavirus in New Mexico, as of May 6. With the number of cases rising comes the need for personal protective equipment. According to Koat 7, as of late April, University of New Mexico hospital claimed that they had a sufficient amount of supplies, but multiple hospitals throughout New Mexico lack essential supplies such as gloves, masks, and gowns.

According to The Santa Fe New Mexican, doctors at Santa Fe’s Internal Medicine Specialists could not find protective gear anywhere, forcing them to go to a paint store and wear disposable units that are meant for construction work or waste cleanup.

Jodi McGinnis Porter, a spokeswoman for the Human Services Department, told the Santa Fe New Mexican, “Anything else unduly strains our health care network as we work to boost capacity for testing.”

According to KRQE, the state of New Mexico had requested more medical supplies from the federal government. However, only 25 percent of the amount requested was received, and it was in poor condition.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has expressed her disappointment with the way the federal government is dealing with the national shortage of supplies. However, Dr. Anthony Fauci assures the entire country that states will get the required supplies.

New Mexico hospitals expect to receive money from the national $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief bill. However the issue hasn’t been a lack of money, but a lack of supplies.

According to The Albuquerque Journal, President Trump told Governor Grisham that New Mexico can expect to see a U.S. army field hospital set up in Albuquerque. Trump told the governor, “We’ll build you that hospital as quick as we can,” which would help New Mexico hospitals by decreasing the number of hospital beds needed in actual hospitals.

With so many hospitals under pressure, it’s impossible to say what is going to happen. However, medical personnel have advised that all of us can help prevent the spread by staying home.