In the midst of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, 5,000,000 masks meant for hospitals of the Veterans Health Administration were seized by FEMA and redirected to the Strategic National Stockpile, stated Richard Stone, Executive in Charge, Veterans Health Administration. After an appeal from Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie to FEMA, the agency provided the VA with 500,000 masks. According to documents obtained by BuzzFeed News, at VA's Greater LA Healthcare System, medical personnel caring for patients who had tested positive for COVID-19 would receive only a single surgical mask per shift rather than the N95 respirators recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those working in parts of the hospital without positive COVID-19 cases would be issued only a single surgical mask each week. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has filed an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) complaint with the Department of Labor regarding safety or health hazards at VA facilities. Veterans Affairs lists current statistics on confirmed infections and deaths due to COVID-19. , VA has 9,771 confirmed cases and 771 deaths. See also Veterans benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder in the United States EBenefits Gerontology Rehabilitation Research and Development Service References External links Veterans Health Administration Healthcare in the United States United States Department of Veterans Affairs Public services of the United States